UK girls as young as 12 may be given contraceptive implants to prevent pregnancies

London, Jan 17 (ANI): Girls as young as 12 could be given contraceptive implants to prevent underage pregnancies, according to a new UK report.

A report for Barnsley Metropolitan District Council has found that the number of pregnancies among 17 and 18 year olds has reduced since 1998, while there has been no significant decrease among younger girls.

It suggests, "long term contraceptive implants be carried out with a view to improving the provision of services".

The implants can protect girls from unwanted pregnancies for up to three years.

However, parental consent would be encouraged it is not compulsory.

"It is no use pretending that these girls aren't having sex because it's happening all over and there is nothing anyone can do to stop it," the Telegraph quoted Sharron (corr) Brook, chairman of Barnsley's Children's Services Scrutiny Commission as saying.

"We have to offer them all the options we can to prevent teenage pregnancies because they can ruin lives.

"Implants are favoured because other forms of contraception are easily forgotten. You cannot make people do anything - they have to want to do it themselves," she added.

But Fred Clowery, an independent councillor condemns the move.

"Having a contraceptive implant for 13, 14, and 15 year olds would give them the licence to go out and be more promiscuous . I am quite sure parents would be very concerned about that," he said.

According to figures by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, of the 21 under-age girls who become pregnant each day, nine will go on to have the baby and the other 12 have abortions.

"We are not saying that contraceptive implants are the answer, but they should be offered, along with other forms of contraception," said Brook.

"I gave been out and spoken to girls between the ages of 12 and 16 who openly admit to having sex on a regular basis.

"Morally we may not like it, but it is a fact and we have to do all we can to prevent teenagers having unwanted children," she added. (ANI)