By Gudrun Schultz

WASHINGTON D.C., United States, January 24, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - "A majority of young people ages 18 to 29 say they believe abstinence programs are an effective approach to teaching healthy sexuality."

"According to a new Harris poll, 56 percent of people ages 18 to 24, and 60 percent of people ages 25 to 29 say abstinence programs are effective at preventing or reducing HIV/AIDS infections. 49 percent of people ages 18 to 24 and 52 percent ages 25 to 29 say the programs help to prevent unwanted pregnancies."

"'The most striking, and surely the most important differences among various demographic groups are the differences between younger and older adults,' the poll states. 'Adults under the age of 30 are more likely to believe that abstinence programs are effective, and it is of course these adults who are the main targets for the programs.'"

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Without Parents Knowledge

By Terry Vanderheyden

LONDON, January 16, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - "Statistics obtained from the UK's Department of Health revealed that thousands of girls 13 or younger have been given the abortifacient morning-after pill without their parent's knowledge or consent."

"The National Health Service figures revealed that at 302 clinics about 2,400 13-year-old or younger girls had been given the morning-after pill, while another 400 were secretly given long-term (usually by hormonal implant) contraception. The figures do not take into account those girls who obtained the pills independently from pharmacists. The Daily Mail obtained the statistics through the Freedom of Information Act."

"'While growing numbers of young girls are being given contraception and the morning-after pill, we are seeing ever-rising rates of sexually-transmitted infections,' warned Norman Wells, director of the charity, Family and Youth Concern."

"'We should remember that most of the pills and contraceptives handed out are distributed while the parents of the children involved are kept in ignorance,' Wells added.' (Children's Minister) Beverley Hughes wants parents to help with teenage behaviour - but if you keep parents in the dark, how can they help?'"

"Tory spokesman on children, Tim Loughton, meanwhile, criticized the findings: 'This is further worrying evidence that the Government is losing the battle for responsible sexual behaviour in young people," he said. "The potential side effects of giving these contraceptive chemicals to such young girls is also worrying.'"

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