Life included in government advisory body on sexual health

A pro-life organisation has been invited to join the Sexual Health Forum, an independent advisory group that provides recommendations to the government on issues relating to abortion, sex education, STIs and contraception.

Life stated that it is “delighted to receive an invitation to join the core panel of the recently convened Sexual Health Forum, which replaces the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV.”

The organisation is committed to protecting life from conception until natural death and conducts a wide range of activities and support services including running residential centres for young homeless women who are pregnant, offering counselling to women facing a crisis pregnancy and providing education and information on abortion and sexual health.

Life’s appointment to the Sexual Health Forum is welcome news to pro-lifers, especially in a week when the Department of Health released figures showing an increase in the number of abortions carried out in Britain over the last decade.

However, the appointment was greeted with outrage in some quarters due to the fact that the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), one of the largest abortion providers in the UK, has been excluded from having a place on the forum.

Ann Furedi, chief executive of BPAS, said: "We find it puzzling that the Department of Health would want a group that is opposed to abortion and provides no sexual health services on its sexual health forum."

Others have been quick to note that having organisations which reflect a range of opinions represented is exactly what a forum is for. Writing in the Telegraph, Christina Odone said that the appointment of Life “ensures a proper debate” and Deborah Orr states in the Guardian that “if people choose to believe that abortion is wrong, then fair enough. If they wish to try to convince others that their view is correct, then they have every right to do so.”

Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said:

“Having Life appointed to the Sexual Health Forum is wonderful news.

“The figures on abortion published earlier this week by the Department of Health show the great need there is for a fresh approach to these issues.

“We wish Life every success in this role and hope they can affect positive change.”

Sources