Noted local Attorney Romona Farquharson-Seymour gave the legal perspective on the recent conversation on abortion in the country. The issue arose after it was revealed by the Minister of National Security, the Hon. Wayne Munroe that an eleven year old girl was impregnated by her mother’s boyfriend and subsequently had a pill induced abortion.
When asked about the prevalence of abortion in The Bahamas Farquharson-Seymour said, “I believe its quite prevalent and common here in our society. Based on my 20-21 years experience at the bar, clients and maneuvering through the courts I can certainly say, believe, abortions take place on a daily basis. Perhaps, I don’t want to say as many as hundreds, but certainly within the tens abortions are taking place.”
The Attorney says that she has heard of a child as young as ten having an abortion.
On whether doctors should be held accountable for abortions of minors Farquharson-Seymour said, “there’s an onus in the law, in the Sexual Offences Act, to report. So once someone of that age the doctors would know that that child is not in the position to give consent to sexual intercourse. And so they ought to report the matter to the authorities.
Currently the law in The Bahamas only permit abortions if the mother’s life is at risk.
