Planned Parenthood in California has failed in a court bid to suppress a leaflet opposing secret abortions for underage girls. Planned Parenthood objected to references to a 15-year-old girl called Sarah who died when she developed complications following a secret abortion and other equally damning case studies, such as a minor who was taken for a secret abortion by a man who was sexually abusing her.
We have to acknowledge that for many teenage girls, telling their parents that they are pregnant would be a terrifying prospect for all kinds of reasons. However, the 'don't worry, nobody needs to know' approach only exacerbates an already lonely and distressing situation, depriving parents of the opportunity to help their children and leaving vulnerable girls open to continued abuse and the emotional and physical dangers of undergoing an abortion.
