A pregnant 12-year-old girl has been forced to go through the Supreme Court for permission to have an abortion.
A court has accepted that the girl, only identified as Q, could have the procedure for her “mental and physical health”, the Brisbane Times reports.
The 12-year-old first went to her GP to seek permission for an abortion about a month ago. She has also seen a social worker several times, two specialist obstetricians, and a psychiatrist.
The court heard that the girl had found the pregnancy very stressful and had self-harmed, ran away from home and attempted suicide.
Both of her parents agreed that having an abortion would be the best thing for her and medical professionals agreed.
Justice Duncan McMeekin accepted that Q was mature enough to grant consent and the abortion was necessary “in order to avoid danger to her mental and physical health”.
In his judgement he wrote unless a child was found to be “mature” their parents could give consent on the child’s behalf but he said when it came to abortion parental consent was “arguably not sufficient”.
“I was principally concerned that it was her own view that she expressed, not a view that she felt she ought to hold because of any perception of pressure from others,” Justice McMeekin wrote.”
“I am satisfied that Q has reached her own independent view of what she thinks is the best decision to take.”
Support is available by calling Lifeline 131 114, Mensline 1300 789 978, Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 FREE.
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