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<p>Data on the number of abortions declined as a result of a suspicion of coercion
is not collected centrally.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has no current plans to commission
a review of reproductive coercion.</p><p> </p><p>The Department takes this issue very
seriously. The Department’s required standard operating procedures (RSOPs) for independent
sector abortion providers and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
clinical guideline on the Care of Women Requesting Induced Abortion, specify that
careful and sensitive enquiry as to the reasons for requesting an abortion should
be made, with the opportunity for further discussion, especially where women express
any doubts or there may be a suggestion of pressure or coercion. The Care Quality
Commission inspects independent sector abortion providers against all of the Department’s
RSOPs including looking at the procedures and policies services have in place to ensure
that all women and young persons are seeking abortion voluntarily.</p>
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