Counselling services for the protection of the unborn child

Reports in the local media regarding the promotion of free abortion services for Maltese women in a foreign country has once again raised deep concern on safeguarding the life of the unborn child. What measures can Government take to refuse similar initiatives taking place in Malta?

This incident also raises the issue of the importance of counselling services to prevent abortion as specified in the domestic violence legislation, which recognises the unborn child as a member of the family and therefore the need for protection from domestic violence.

The need for adequate human and financial resources is crucial for the provision of such services by the agency designated by law, Appogg. More research needs to be conducted for the agency to find out why Maltese individuals are resorting to abortion as a solution to what is considered as an unwanted pregnancy.

Countries where abortion is legalised have proper counselling services in place to help individuals resort to other solutions rather than abortion. Adopting models from such countries for Malta, which boasts of being one of the few countries where abortion is illegal, should be an urgent priority.