Andrew Turner the Island’s MP called on the Government to recognise the differences between under-age sex and more general issues around teenage pregnancy during a debate on the subject this week. He mentioned that youngsters need individualised support at critical times rather than more general advice that may not be appropriate to their circumstances and pointed out that the best support is provided by parents but recognised that was not always possible. Maria Miller the Shadow Minister for Family Welfare agreed with Mr Turner’s remarks saying that she believed that solutions were needed that took account of the individual requirements of children and their parents. Mr Turner supported many of the comments from the Minister for Children, Young People and Families, Beverley Hughes and welcomed the fact that both underage and other teenage pregnancy rates were falling, albeit not quickly enough. However he expressed disappointment that she failed to address some of the issues he raised.

Mr Turner said;
“These are difficult and emotive issues but there is a fundamental difference between pregnancy arising from unlawful sexual activity and pregnancy arising from sex between two people above the age of consent. I asked what plans the Government had to tackle under-age sex, but received no answer. It is hardly surprising that very young people, particularly girls often report feeling pressure to experiment sexually when the authorities fail to recognise the difference between lawful and unlawful sexual activity. This is a child protection issue and I shall be writing to the Minister to ask her for her comments.”

END

web link