Average of 57 Maltese women have UK abortions every year
(File picture)
An average of 57 abortions a year were carried out on Maltese women in England and Wales in the past 10 years, a new publication issued by the National Office of Statistics shows.
The highest number, 69, were carried out in 2002 and 2007. The number of abortions dropped to 38 in 2008, the lowest number since at least 1990.
There are no figures for abortions on Maltese women carried out in other countries.
The NSO publication covers data up to 2008 and follows up on a similar publication issued eight years ago.
DROP IN POPULATION OF CHILDREN
It shows that although the population is increasing, there was a drop in the population of children (people under the age of 18). Since 1957 this went down by 41 per cent.
The crude birth rate dropped from 33 births per 1,000 in 1931 to nine in 2008. There was also a decrease in births since 1940, but the trend was reversed in 2008 with an increase of 185 births over 2007. The fertility rate went down from 3.5 in 1960 to 1.4 in 2008.
The number of births outside marriage shot up from 289 in 1996 to more than a 1,000 in 2008. 34 per cent of the births outside marriage in 2008 were to an ‘unknown’ father, the lowest percentage since 1996, when there were 59.9 per cent of ‘unknown’ fathers.
There was also an increase in the number of mothers under the age of 20.
The publication shows that 2008 saw an increase in mothers under 15 compared to 1999, 2002 and 2005.
There was a drastic drop in child deaths from 1,530 in 1948 – 1530 to 46 in 2008. The mortality rate remained higher among boys.
The highest number of stillbirths since 1987 were in 1988 and 1989. The lowest number was 10 in 2005 but in 2008 they went up by 17 over the previous year.
61% PASS JL EXAMINATION
When it came to education, the publication shows that in 2008 there was a drop in the number of students sitting for the Common Entrance Examination.
A total 61 per cent of those who sat for the Junior Lyceum examinations passed with the most successful, 81 per cent, being students from non-state primary schools.
The number of children registering for SEC examinations increased by 2,601 in 2008, when compared to 1994. Highest number of registrations was for English followed by mathematics and Maltese.
Even the number of those applying for the Matriculation certificate increased. But the success rate dropped by 12 percentage points since 1997.
The most popular subjects at advanced level Matriculation were pure maths, biology and physics followed by English.
CARE ORDERS, FOSTERING, ADOPTIONS
The publication shows that there were 191 children in residential homes in 2008, a drop from the 225 in 2007.
There was an annual increase in the number of care orders but these dropped in 2007. A third of the orders were issued for children whose parents had a mental health problem. The second reason was physical abuse and third neglect. Six per cent of care orders were issued because of sexual abuse. Over a fourth of cases were aged between 10 and 12.
Although the number of fostered children increased gradually between 1998 and 2005, the number dropped to 160 in 2008. More boys than girls are fostered.
An average of 71 adoptions were carried out every year between 2004 and 2008. The average in the previous five years was 49.
CHILD ASYLUM SEEKERS
Although the number of applications for asylum for children dropped in 2007 when compared to the previous they, the number almost doubled to 305 in 2008. A total 98 per cent of applicants come from Africa.
At end of 2008 there were 108 children living in open centres with the largest group hailing from Somalia. Most of them were boys.
CHILD HEALTH
The NSO publication also features child health and shows that there was a constant fluctuation in the number of childhood cancers between 1993 and 2007. There was an average of 13 cases per year with leukaemia being the most common.
In 2007, 51 per cent of households with children lived in flats or apartments. 2,160 families with children said they did not afford to buy a computer and 18 per cent of children in 2007 were at risk of poverty. Most at risk were those living in single parent households with one or more dependent children.
More than eight million euros worth of toys and games, excluding video games, were imported in 2008, a drop of 19 per cent compared to 2004.
The number of child abuse cases reported to Appogg went down between 2006 and 2008. In 2008, 29 per cent of cases revolved around physical abuse, 20 per cent sexual abuse, 17 per cent neglect and 27 per cent were at risk. Abuse by parents was the most frequent.
Between 2005 and 2008, an annual average of 23 children aged between 14 and 18 made use of the Detox Outpatients Centre. An average of 20 used the In-patients Centre. In 2008 the rehabilitation programmes run by Sedqa and Caritas hosted 52 of children aged between 14 and 18, amounting to seven per cent of the people in programmes.
In 2008 the police received 49 reports of sexual offences on minors. Almost half were between aged between 15 and 17. The highest number of reported sexual offences on minors between 2002 and 2008 was in 2003 when 68 reports were made.
Between 2001 and 2008, there was an average of 30 annual cases of physical abuse on minors. 46 per cent were on children aged between 10 and 14. Physical abuse on girls was more common.
In 2007, the courts referred 61 cases to probation services. This number dropped to 38 in 2008. Nearly half of these cases involved theft.
NAMES
When it came to babies names, the most popular in 2008 were Matthew followed by Luke for boys and Maria, followed by Eliza, for girls.
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G guccione
Mar 10th 2010, 17:38
i agree 100% with Mr Christian Sciberras. I also disagree with abortion but i also think that its an individual's choice in aborting or not. Like everything else. Im sure that most of these women weren't forced to abort and jailing them or doing something to them would be an injustice. Its an injustice to abort a baby but no one can stop other countries' laws. The laws are just there and nothing can be done about that. Its a sad world, but im also sure that the women doing this procedures are well informed and educated enough to make such a decision
B Galea
Mar 10th 2010, 13:33
@ Gerry Cowie
Please re-read my comment - I never equated opposition with abortion with the religious. What I will say is that while (practically) all practicing catholics are against abortion, not all who are against abortion are practicing catholics (or muslims, jews, buddhists etc).
Your point about paternal rights is valid, and I believe there is room for serious debate on the issue. A situation in which women can choose to abort irrespective of the future father's wishes is not a just one. Some writers have gone so far as to argue in the opposite direction too - ie If a woman has the right to choose over whether to keep or terminate a pregnancy, then a man should have the right to sign away his paternal obligations should he chose to do so. I find this position uncomfortable and am not advocating it myself.
@ David Vella - could you point me to these so-called 'statistics'? As for your claim that priests are only interested in our wellbeing...the less said, the better.
Public policy cannot be subjected to private moralities. How hard is that for all the proto-fascists to understand?
Christian Sciberras
Mar 10th 2010, 01:44
I'll say one thing.
You can stop cocaine from entering Malt (somewhat) but you can't stop (Maltese) people taking it on foreign territories.
Be it clear that I strongly discourage abortion, however, I believe it should be left to the individual choice and good education.
For instance, I'm sure many people don't get drug addicts just because of visiting certain places, bu rather their own choice. Likewise, abortion should be individual choice, rather then by force.
Remember, even if you had to jail such women, what stops them from taking a new life in a new county? Besides, in this case, what's the point of ruining two lives?
That's just my humble reasoning.
Robert Agius
Mar 9th 2010, 23:13
@ Gerry Cowie
'please note! Also this is not solely a religious argument and to say so is to insult all those of no religion who still value life!' there is more than you assume. Non religious people would have other priorities when it comes to life (some animals being more 'advanced' than humans from a scientific perspective).
@ All
This is also a matter of giving a choice and giving them all the info available. To all those who mention post abortion stress, things are not a simple as you put them since it also depends after how long the abortion was done (6 week, 3 months). These are the issues that should be debated. Also, nobody of these people mention the pressure that they themselves (along with religion I might add) bring upon on the rest of society, including the same people they are talking about. Its about time people stop pointing their fingers and take responsibility for their actions. That includes informing yourself, and accepting any risks involved.
After all, Abortion is just a pragmatic approach to a new fast paced material modern world that everyone is to blame for.
Jesmond Micallef
Mar 9th 2010, 22:15
C.Gatt. The Immaculate Conception remains the Immaculate Conception. You seem to have wanted to correct my understanding of my Religious belief, but you did contribute any substance to the subject matter here concerned.
Gerry Cowie
Mar 9th 2010, 21:07
The disrespect for human life in some responses below is very sad. No doubt the worst possible cases will be cited in an effort to justify abortion, such as rape etc. However, those subjects aside, men are physically unable to bear children. Therefore the freedom of women to do what they wish with their own bodies is a fallacy of an argument when it denies the man a say and when they deny the unborn child the right to live.
In cases or rape there is still an innocent life to consider before going ahead with an abortion, just in case that should be thrown at me!
With every freedom comes a responsibility, Mr Andy Towler please note! Also this is not solely a religious argument and to say so is to insult all those of no religion who still value life! Also B Galea please note.
Those who cheapen life to a mere commodity insult humankind.
Let's hope that Malta continues to respect human life from conception to natural death.
There is plenty to help these women, but pro-abortionists would rather that they did not turn to sources of help. This is not about money! It is about life!!
rbuttigieg
Mar 9th 2010, 21:04
As usual the fathers' reproductive rights are totally ignored. After all the hulabaloo that fathers should contribute to take part in upbringing of the kids, when it comes to the crunch its a one way ticket, suddenly they become the sole possesion of the woman, to dispose of as deemed fit. Or if she decides otherwise to ask for finacial support. Thus the male has to dance the tune the female wishes to play. (referring where abortion is legal). equality became one way traffic only.
@b.galea...as for the poor/rich debate....with your logic we should legalize everything so that we make everythng available to all.
C Gatt
Mar 9th 2010, 19:53
@Mr. Micallef.
Oh dear, its a common mistake, but i am always surprised how few people actually understand the dogmas of the religion they profess to believe in.
The dogma of the Immaculate Conception refers not to the virgin birth of the Christ, but to the fact that Mary was born immaculate, that is to say, without Original Sin. It goes back to the Catholic theory that all humans are cursed with original sin, the sin of Adam and Eve. The church's logic is that the Mother of God cannot by her very nature have this sin. iIs actually quite a new concept and like the concept of celibacy is a guilt-trip reminder of how the church views the question of sexuality, and more interestingly, women. (Incidentally, , speaking of which, some readers may remember the scandal round Zeffirelli's Jesus of Nazareth because it showed Mary having birth pangs. According to tradition Mary should have had a pain free birth as birth pangs are directly associated with original sin, a curse placed on Eve for succumbing to temptation.)
david vella
Mar 9th 2010, 18:40
dear readers visit this site and you get an idea what i meant. - Post-abortion (Trauma) Syndrome: Abortion/Suicide Links.
david vella
Mar 9th 2010, 18:26
@ b galea
"an unborn foetus" is a human being just like you and me, though you are right when you said "while condemning living, breathing women". Nobody has the right to do that. I think what the readers mean here is all about justice in our court rooms! remember it is considered as murder! What priests preach is Gods world so lt's about our wellbeing! A woman who has aborted will never be the same. If you don't agree read check the statistics.
B Galea
Mar 9th 2010, 18:06
Amazing how many sanctimonious men here are willing to jump to the defence of an unborn foetus while condemning living, breathing women.
While I think that there are issues around men's rights where abortion is concerned (i.e. in countries where abortion is permitted, the father's weight is negligible - a woman can chose to abort without his consent.), in this case it simply proves what Anthony Grech has already pointed out.
Outlawing abortion is only really outlawing it for the poor. Just as those with wealth and power go abroad to get divorced, they also travel overseas to abort.
The tin-pot preachers who've been commenting should get a reality check. You're about as credible as priests talking about marriage.
Jesmond Micallef
Mar 9th 2010, 18:04
G.Vella,
I am also concerned with child poverty, abuse of minors, child prostitution, child labour, children drug addicts !!!! physical and sexual abuse etc. The common denominator to all these hideous elements are not children themselves, they cannot be, but GROWN UPS themselves !!!
Actually this article spreads out quite alot. It mentions the successes too, such as in education, adoption and fostering, for example. Even the names are very interesting, they are mostly Biblical names, such as Matthew, Luke, and Maria. I guess Eliza is short for Elizabeth.
david vella
Mar 9th 2010, 18:02
@ Mr.Towler
Do you care about those many who committed suicide after abortion no matter their religion, Mr.Towler? So how dare you contradict our beliefs, which what we say is proven in this case? Before you critisize make sure your homework is done!!
J. J. Borg
Mar 9th 2010, 17:58
A. Dalli: are you really clueless or are you just playing naive? It is legal for Maltese to travel abroad without having to take a pregnancy test. It is legal to have an abortion in the U.K. It is illegal for any hospital to release personal information of patients. So what should the ministers resign for? For not breaking the law?
G Vella
Mar 9th 2010, 17:32
Amazing how much concern about abortion but not a single mention by any commentator on the other items in the report concerning the 18% of children at risk of poverty and the minors physically and sexually abused by parents and others. It seems that a lot of people’s concern is restricted to the unborn and once you’re out there, especially if you happen to be the child of a single mother, you’re very much on your own.
Jesmond Micallef
Mar 9th 2010, 17:24
Mr. Andy Towler,
Who are you to speak on behalf of a woman's body and the human fertility it represents ?With regards to "emotional and religious blackmail" it takes two to tango as a woman cannot become pregnant on her own or do you believe in the "Immaculate Conception", Mr. Towler ?
I also suspect that there might be an element of "male influence" behind these abortions.
TO ALL READERS : I DO NOT MEAN TO BLASPHEME HERE AS I DO BELEIVE IN THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.
a.dalli
Mar 9th 2010, 17:06
Shoulden't Minister of health and that of the social services resign?
Should these people seeking and performing aborshins in the UK or anyother place for that matter be brought to justies?
t farrugia
Mar 9th 2010, 17:05
@ andy towler - the problem is that it is not just their body involved but also that of the unborn child's!!!!! and also not all of us are using religion for our arguments against abortion!!!
Jesmond Micallef
Mar 9th 2010, 16:55
K.Pullicino, nixtieq nikwota imma mhux biex nikritika il kumment tajjeb tighek :
"Min jaf x'ser jgħidu fuqna l-ġirien!" ....... Sewwa, "prosit tassew", ejjew noqtlu tarbija miehx imwielda mela !!!
DAN QTIL, XEJN IZJED HLIEF QTIL ...............!!!
Kemm hemm nisa Malta u Ghawdex li jixtiqu jsiru ommijiet imma ghall xi ragunijiet biologici ma jistawx jew difficli hafna ?? L'abort huwa abuz tal fertilita humana wkoll !!! Iva, dan huwa principju iehor wkoll kontra l' abort.
Hemm xi rizultati ta problemi psikologici li jistghu jsehhu wara l' abort ??
Andy Towler
Mar 9th 2010, 16:30
To all those commenters pleading with women to give their unwanted babies up for adoption instead of having an abortion, how dare you presume that you have the right to tell these women what to do! It's their body, not yours, it's their choice, not yours, and it's a difficult enough choice already without all this emotional and religious blackmail.
david vella
Mar 9th 2010, 16:17
To abortion minded women - Plse don't kill your children! Give them to adoption instead. Statistics show that most women who go through this painful experience, will never be the same again. The consequences - the sense of guilt is immense and most of them will carry it throughout their lives even nightmares will occur. Though GOD forgives our bad acts, satan will keep reminding them to us! A case that comes to my mind, a woman who had an abortion, after many years is still confessing the same sin! God bless all!!!! Remember, they're just after your money, not your happiness.
Peter Murray
Mar 9th 2010, 15:36
This is just the tip of a very large iceberg!Do you consider that all women who travel for abortion purposes declare this fact and what about the large number who travel to Sicily and mainland Italy(or elsewhere) to perform this procedure?
K. Pullicino
Mar 9th 2010, 15:16
Having a child in Malta is not too bad compared to other countries in Europe (especially if the mother is single) so I'm led to believe that a large number of these abortions are due to the "Min jaf x'ser jgħidu fuqna l-ġirien!" mentality coming from family members.
We have to start weeding out this mentality and encouraging society to be supportive (through education). Only like this can we zero the number of abortions performed by Maltese women.
t farrugia
Mar 9th 2010, 14:51
@ Mario Dimech - it is true that this is not a case of whether we believe in god or not. one does not need to believe in god to have good morales.
F.Portelli
Mar 9th 2010, 14:09
57 a year x by 10 years around 570 x2 (partners) 1104 already in favour of abortion. + at least 1 or 2 persons that help. I think we might have got it wrong as to how many people are actually for abortion in this country.
One should reflect a bit on this. Apart from the moral issue which i wont go into cos that depends on one's own believes .. the government should study this social reality rather than creating another heap under the carpet which will be to big to ignore in 15 years time like what is happening with failed marriages.
My opinion is that there is no alternative moral teachings in malta except from the church. And people leaving the church's shadow are surely on the increase. What is the minister of education waiting to introduce a general ethics lesson in schools? In know many parents who are just not christians even if statisticaly they are. The government needs to introduce ETHICS in schools. We need to fill this gap. Society is going down the drain cos its the Church or nothing and many are chosing nothing! wake up !!
S Sciberras
Mar 9th 2010, 14:03
Can someone clarify the legal basis of these abortions and why are not these children put up for adoption instead of being killed.
P.Duff
Mar 9th 2010, 13:52
"The fertility rate went down from 3.5 in 1960 to 1.4 in 2008"
The fertility rate has to be at lease 2.1 to replace the exising population.
1.4 will result in gradual extinction of ethnic Maltese people.
C.ZARB
Mar 9th 2010, 13:43
Many Maltese couples are struggling to make ends meet let alone having children.
Anthony Grech
Mar 9th 2010, 13:20
It just goes to show that if a woman wants an abortion and has the means to fly to England then she will indeed have one. By banning abortion here we are really just banning it for hte poor. The rich can do as they like, and always have.
Mario Dimech
Mar 9th 2010, 13:18
Abortion, out of sight out of mind?
Not really, wether you have a belief in God or not for the sake of mankind we must stop this Holocaust.
http://herestheblood.com/
The link is not for the squeamish but it is for pro Abortionists.Hopefully they will change their ways.
paul mizzi
Mar 9th 2010, 13:02
that is about 570 innocent compatriots dead in 10years.