A PRO-LIFE group has alleged that some women are being ‘coerced’ into having abortions.

The Society for the Protection of the Unborn (SPUC) made the comment in a statement where it also acknowledged its role in providing information to a young man who took a recent High Court case.

He took the case to try to prevent his girlfriend from travelling to England for an abortion, as he believed she was doing so under duress from members of her family.

The man subsequently withdrew his application.

On Friday, the High Court heard that the man had read an affidavit from the woman’s family and was satisfied with it. The court was told that “matters will continue as at present” with the young woman’s pregnancy. The application was struck out.

SPUC said that the man “is extremely grateful to the pro-life groups” which helped him, which included SPUC and Women’s Net crisis pregnancy agency. It said they both had “provided him with advice and support” when he approached them earlier in the week.

They said that the man was “desperate to find help”.

After discussing the situation with SPUC and Women’s Net, it became clear that a legal intervention to prevent her from being taken out of Ireland was the only realistic option. He was then put in touch with a legal team in Dublin who was able to act on his behalf.

Liam Gibson, SPUC’s development officer in Northern Ireland, said that the case “highlights the very serious issue of women being coerced into having abortions”.

Despite the slogans, women frequently undergo abortions because they feel they have no choice. No woman should be compelled by parents, a husband, boyfriend or even financial pressures to have an abortion.

Read: Man withdraws court bid to stop girlfriend travelling for abortion “under duress”>

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