'I'd rather tell mum I had implant than tell her I was pregnant' (From Daily Echo)
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No regrets for girl, 13, at centre of school contraceptive implant storm
2:00pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Education
A contraceptive implant.
THE 13-year-old girl at the centre of a school contraceptive storm has told the Daily Echo why she wanted the implant fitted.
Yesterday we broke the exclusive news that girls as young as 13 had been fitted with contraceptive implants on school grounds without their parents knowing.
But today the teenager has told the Daily Echo that she has no regrets and believes she was acting responsibly by taking measures to stop herself getting pregnant.
She spoke as health chiefs revealed she is one of 33 students who have received an implant at school since the sexual health service was introduced in Southampton in 2009.
She said: “I don’t regret having the implant, it works really well and I think it is a good service.
“I think it has really helped me because if I am with my boyfriend and we feel like having sex but no other contraception is available or if something goes wrong, I have that peace of mind knowing that I am OK.
“At the time I didn’t want to tell my mum because there are some things you don’t want to talk to your parents about but I am glad I have told her now. I’d rather tell her I’ve had an implant than tell her I was pregnant.
“If I was told I couldn’t have the implant unless I told my mum, I probably would have gone away to think about it and would have eventually got my mum involved.
“But I think there should be the option to have full confidentiality because some children just can’t speak to their parents.
“I do get where my mum is coming from and maybe it shouldn’t be done in school.”
She added that she approached the service asking for the implant and after an hour discussing the issues, during which she was advised to speak to her mum, she was fitted with the Nexplanon device in her arm at their next meeting a week later.
Her mum has criticised the consultation process and particularly the lack of follow-up appointments but the girl said that she was told a follow-up appointment was not compulsory but that she could book another appointment if she had any worries.
The mum, who is proud that her daughter has taken responsibility to protect herself, is today preparing herself for a face-to-face confrontation with health bosses at Solent NHS Trust, where she will demand an apology and a review of the service in schools.
She said: “I believe they have neglected my daughter by not making sure my daughter had a follow-up appointment.
“I want an apology and even though I may not be able to stop this surgical procedure being carried out on school grounds altogether, I at least want changes to be made to ensure every girl that has one is given a compulsory follow-up appointment.”
Health chiefs had told the Daily Echo that letters were sent to all parents at participating schools when the services were launched.
It was then left to individual schools to inform parents of all future students joining, either by letter or in the school prospectus.
NHS Southampton and Solent NHS Trust have defended the service, stressing it was provided by trained staff and highlighting its success by reducing unwanted teenage pregnancies, which is a particular problem in the city.
Last night a spokesman for Solent NHS Trust confirmed 770 pupils had used the services provided in schools, of whom 33 had been fitted with the implant.
They added: “We have a responsibility to provide a confidential service that ensures young people have access to professional advice and information as well as contraception, if appropriate.
“Full assessments are undertaken to ensure that young people are mature enough to understand their choices and are safe.
“School settings offer an opportunity to engage young people in sexual health and relationship information, as part of their overall health and wellbeing.”
They added that the service is fully compliant with national safeguarding legislation and guidance.
Comments(46)
sass
says...
2:29pm Wed 8 Feb 12
If you are too young to afford them or are too embarrassed to buy them, then you are too young to be doing it.
MGRA
says...
2:53pm Wed 8 Feb 12
chrisdemeanour
says...
3:00pm Wed 8 Feb 12
Shoong
says...
3:11pm Wed 8 Feb 12
Think of the money we could save not paying for illegitimate children, born for financial gain but not for love & then repeating the cycle when they hit spawning age.
Who knows.
The name 'Chardonnay' may then fade into extinction. Sigh, I can only dream...
solomum
says...
3:11pm Wed 8 Feb 12
Shoong
says...
3:16pm Wed 8 Feb 12
solomum wrote:No, it's not about congenial unpleasantness, it's about contraception.
Children don't learn any morals at school any more. This is basically saying it is OK to have sex as young as 13. It is supposed to be illegal and yet the same government that are in charge of it being illegal, are aiding children in participating in sex. Words fail me!
No-one has said 'Yeh go on, hump the night away', it's a way of preventing teenage pregnancy. Calm down.
And it's YOUR job to teach them morals, not the schools.
teamgreen
says...
3:22pm Wed 8 Feb 12
solomum
says...
3:29pm Wed 8 Feb 12
Shoong wrote:Yes you are right. It is my job to teach my children morals and that is exactly what I do. Schools have a huge influence on children's outlook on life though and being given contraceptives at school behind parents backs is taking away the morals that parents teach. Children look up to teachers and have the opinion that if Sir or Miss say it's ok, then it really is ok. Schools are hugely failing our children by the lack of morals that a lot of today's teachers have themselves.
solomum wrote:No, it's not about congenial unpleasantness, it's about contraception.
Children don't learn any morals at school any more. This is basically saying it is OK to have sex as young as 13. It is supposed to be illegal and yet the same government that are in charge of it being illegal, are aiding children in participating in sex. Words fail me!
No-one has said 'Yeh go on, hump the night away', it's a way of preventing teenage pregnancy. Calm down.
And it's YOUR job to teach them morals, not the schools.
solomum
says...
3:32pm Wed 8 Feb 12
teamgreen wrote:Exactly!
implant aside isnt sex underage a crime and if the boy is above the legal age then isnt it abuse of a minor ?
opera phantom
says...
3:40pm Wed 8 Feb 12
has been in the gutter for ages in this
crap country.
freemantlegirl2
says...
3:52pm Wed 8 Feb 12
Shoong wrote:Perhaps we should equip all young men with a chastity belt too then?!
I'd like to see these fitted to all girls under 21.
Think of the money we could save not paying for illegitimate children, born for financial gain but not for love & then repeating the cycle when they hit spawning age.
Who knows.
The name 'Chardonnay' may then fade into extinction. Sigh, I can only dream...
St Retford
says...
4:00pm Wed 8 Feb 12
St Retford
says...
4:03pm Wed 8 Feb 12
Shoong
says...
4:05pm Wed 8 Feb 12
freemantlegirl2 wrote:Hmm, not sure about that, is it a good idea to deny teenage males the ability to have a Thomas Tank?
Shoong wrote:Perhaps we should equip all young men with a chastity belt too then?!
I'd like to see these fitted to all girls under 21.
Think of the money we could save not paying for illegitimate children, born for financial gain but not for love & then repeating the cycle when they hit spawning age.
Who knows.
The name 'Chardonnay' may then fade into extinction. Sigh, I can only dream...
It would be like the Tottenham riots but ten fold.
nedscrumpo
says...
4:20pm Wed 8 Feb 12
freemantlegirl2
says...
4:39pm Wed 8 Feb 12
teamgreen wrote:Of course it is but we're talking about consenting teens of under 16 in this case. See the columns yesterday for full explanation of the Law and how it stands.
implant aside isnt sex underage a crime and if the boy is above the legal age then isnt it abuse of a minor ?
This girl does sound particularly mature, but hard to tell just with a few lines and not knowing her. But I agree with the mother, any minor surgery or ingestion of something really could land the Health authority in schools in very hot water should it 'go wrong'. i.e. the pill 'could' cause a bloodclot and the implant a 'reaction' and no compulsory follow up appointment.
I am still disappointed that these kids feel pressure to have sex these days. I will keep talking to my daughter to ensure that she understands everything and wants to have healthy and safe relationships. I'm all for children's rights but I think we need t think more as a society. I didn't agree with the way Victoria Gillick went about things but we need another 'rethink' with our young people and giving them safe, healthy messages and advice.
Shoong
says...
4:52pm Wed 8 Feb 12
freemantlegirl2 wrote:The irony is never lost on me - when I walk into the newsagents, all the bongo mags are on the top shelf yet you get all these womens & tv mags with sex stories plastered all over the covers with a beaming celebrity...
teamgreen wrote:Of course it is but we're talking about consenting teens of under 16 in this case. See the columns yesterday for full explanation of the Law and how it stands.
implant aside isnt sex underage a crime and if the boy is above the legal age then isnt it abuse of a minor ?
This girl does sound particularly mature, but hard to tell just with a few lines and not knowing her. But I agree with the mother, any minor surgery or ingestion of something really could land the Health authority in schools in very hot water should it 'go wrong'. i.e. the pill 'could' cause a bloodclot and the implant a 'reaction' and no compulsory follow up appointment.
I am still disappointed that these kids feel pressure to have sex these days. I will keep talking to my daughter to ensure that she understands everything and wants to have healthy and safe relationships. I'm all for children's rights but I think we need t think more as a society. I didn't agree with the way Victoria Gillick went about things but we need another 'rethink' with our young people and giving them safe, healthy messages and advice.
From my observations, the overriding desire nowadays seems to be the desire to be desirable. Or your nothing.
It creates a competitive atmosphere among young girls as to who is getting with the boys first. It's all quite worrying really. Ok, you can say that's human nature but it all seems so amplified now.
The bottom line is = if the boys don't want you, you ain't sh*t.
St Retford
says...
5:01pm Wed 8 Feb 12
Shoong wrote:This is true. The one thing no one can really protect their daughters from is how society will conspire to make them feel fat and ugly and unattractive. They use sex, in some instances, as a way of proving society wrong. I don't really know what the solution is and, unfortunately, I don't think anyone else does.
freemantlegirl2 wrote:The irony is never lost on me - when I walk into the newsagents, all the bongo mags are on the top shelf yet you get all these womens & tv mags with sex stories plastered all over the covers with a beaming celebrity... From my observations, the overriding desire nowadays seems to be the desire to be desirable. Or your nothing. It creates a competitive atmosphere among young girls as to who is getting with the boys first. It's all quite worrying really. Ok, you can say that's human nature but it all seems so amplified now. The bottom line is = if the boys don't want you, you ain't sh*t.teamgreen wrote: implant aside isnt sex underage a crime and if the boy is above the legal age then isnt it abuse of a minor ?Of course it is but we're talking about consenting teens of under 16 in this case. See the columns yesterday for full explanation of the Law and how it stands. This girl does sound particularly mature, but hard to tell just with a few lines and not knowing her. But I agree with the mother, any minor surgery or ingestion of something really could land the Health authority in schools in very hot water should it 'go wrong'. i.e. the pill 'could' cause a bloodclot and the implant a 'reaction' and no compulsory follow up appointment. I am still disappointed that these kids feel pressure to have sex these days. I will keep talking to my daughter to ensure that she understands everything and wants to have healthy and safe relationships. I'm all for children's rights but I think we need t think more as a society. I didn't agree with the way Victoria Gillick went about things but we need another 'rethink' with our young people and giving them safe, healthy messages and advice.
IronLady2010
says...
5:17pm Wed 8 Feb 12
hythe knights
says...
5:20pm Wed 8 Feb 12
Shoong
says...
5:20pm Wed 8 Feb 12
IronLady2010 wrote:Then stand by for MORAL PANIC & dumb a55 parents asking why schools didn't raise their kids for them properly.
Oh dear this story has now hit the National Newspapers.......
Dasal
says...
5:23pm Wed 8 Feb 12
IronLady2010 wrote:......and this worries you for what reason ???
Oh dear this story has now hit the National Newspapers.......
Dasal
says...
5:26pm Wed 8 Feb 12
hythe knights wrote:probably NOT after a few "sherberts" tho'
Could the wonderful parents teach their kids to keep their legs shut.
Mousetrap
says...
6:02pm Wed 8 Feb 12
She clearly won't need any A levels; she'll probably earn more money on the game. Cruel, I know, but she is going the right way. Boyfriend is no doubt laughing his head off. Silly girl!
am i bovered
says...
6:04pm Wed 8 Feb 12
freemantlegirl2
says...
6:39pm Wed 8 Feb 12
Mousetrap wrote:What does being a prostitute have to do with underage sex you silly man/woman..... yes it is cruel (very cruel) and I'm sure you NEVER made any mistakes in your teens or deliberated over any decisions did you.....
"I think it has really helped me because if I am with my boyfriend and we feel like having sex but no other contraception is available or if something goes wrong, I have that peace of mind knowing that I am OK. "
She clearly won't need any A levels; she'll probably earn more money on the game. Cruel, I know, but she is going the right way. Boyfriend is no doubt laughing his head off. Silly girl!
IronLady2010
says...
6:46pm Wed 8 Feb 12
I appreciate boys keep their brains somewhere they shouldn't be, but what happened to the girls having self-respect and waiting for the right time.
Maybe they should just sell vibrators and other toys in the tuck shops at schools to satisfy the needs?
It just seems so wrong for a 13 year to be doing such things.
My problem is once it becomes acceptable in society for 13 year olds to be having sex, things will then move on and 9 year olds will want the same treatment, where do you draw the line?
MGRA
says...
7:06pm Wed 8 Feb 12
millyc
says...
7:08pm Wed 8 Feb 12
The Salv
says...
7:31pm Wed 8 Feb 12
IronLady2010
says...
7:59pm Wed 8 Feb 12
It is 0% effective against diseases, which to be fair must be spreading like wildfire if children who are not mentally mature, keeping bonking like rabbits and putting it about.
Not wanting to judge the mother in this case, but I would seriously be thinking about taking my daughter to a side and really giving her the real facts about what she is doing.
Again, not judging the mother, but should the 13 year old not be at home doing homework and spending family time with mom on outings rather than out on the streets opening up for any boy who's willing?
Mousetrap
says...
8:17pm Wed 8 Feb 12
No I didn't make any mistakes when I was a teenager, no I tell a lie, mistakes yes, but none that were particularly important. In my day, yes I'm an old fogey, a girl who slept around was a slag. Sadly this young girl is growing up in an age when it doesn't seem to matter - although I am glad to see some letters who are horrified at what is happening.
At 13 (and I sincerely hope I am wrong) statistically she won't be with this boyfriend for long and consequently will have a good few years to sleep with others. Let's hope she doesn't get a reputation of being the town's bike, or get a sexually transmitted disease - which I don't think this implant will protect against.
Yes, I was cruel, but I get very angry because we aren't cruel enough. Our social ills are mostly to do with the namby pamby attitude of parents etc., who don't tell the truth to our youngsters. And as for my being "silly". I was not the one who ended up like some of the girls I knew when I worked in the legal profession.
The country is full of youngsters who think they know it all and are "older than their years". No, sadly they are not old in their common sense. Watch some time, for a few minutes at least, the Jeremy Kyle Show - God help us! Surely our young people deserve better than this.
mmmmm
says...
8:50pm Wed 8 Feb 12
IronLady2010
says...
8:54pm Wed 8 Feb 12
mmmmm wrote:You mean 'schools' it is more than one school! This girl is one of many!
Do we know which school this was?
Condor Man
says...
9:00pm Wed 8 Feb 12
andysaints007
says...
9:59pm Wed 8 Feb 12
sass
says...
10:29pm Wed 8 Feb 12
IronLady2010 wrote:Are Catholic schools also involved?
mmmmm wrote: Do we know which school this was?You mean 'schools' it is more than one school! This girl is one of many!
I dare any school to do this to a thirteen year old Muslim girl....can you spell Fatwa?
IronLady2010
says...
10:30pm Wed 8 Feb 12
andysaints007 wrote:I don't have kids as I'm too selfish but I totally agree that if I did have kids and someone inserted something in their body at 13 years of age whilst I am their legal guardian I would take every legal action.
If anyone had carried out surgery - no matter how minor, on one of my kids I would not have stopped until all legal avenues had been pursued!! Just who do these people at school think they are!!
It is disgusting!
IronLady2010
says...
10:33pm Wed 8 Feb 12
sass wrote:With respect Muslim or not, the same rule apllies. This is UK which appears to make up rules according to EU.
IronLady2010 wrote:Are Catholic schools also involved?
mmmmm wrote: Do we know which school this was?You mean 'schools' it is more than one school! This girl is one of many!
I dare any school to do this to a thirteen year old Muslim girl....can you spell Fatwa?
Bill-B
says...
11:28pm Wed 8 Feb 12
IronLady2010
says...
11:32pm Wed 8 Feb 12
Bill-B wrote:Hardly amusing when this is in National Press! Wind your neck in!
What do you call a school girl from Southampton ? A Slutonion.
Tike
says...
12:00am Thu 9 Feb 12
IronLady2010
says...
12:03am Thu 9 Feb 12
Tike wrote:I assumed this, but 13 year olds can consent to sex. Vile as it sounds, it's legal!
Whilst underage sexual intercourse is illegal but action only usually taken if a complaint is made by the underage person involved, a 13 year old is not able under any circumstances to legally give consent to sex. Therefore sexual intercourse with a 13 year old is classed as statutory rape. Is the boyfriend of this 13 year old 14 or older? If so, he could/should be charged with rape - this is an offence that would have ramifications the rest of his life. Have the children, their parents and the Health professionals involved fully considered the correct implications? To be aware that a 13 year old is being raped and to do nothing apart from provide contraception is surely a failure to protect the 13 year old. Where are the Safeguarding and Police in this sorry matter?
solomum
says...
8:15am Thu 9 Feb 12
IronLady2010 wrote:No it's not legal. The age of consent remains at 16. Yet the authorities ignore this, so are aiding law breaking. Rather than give out contraceptives, they need to get tough on prosecuting those who partake in under age sex. The trouble with this country is that we focus too much on choices and not enough on the law. As a parent, I am bringing my children up to know that sex is something best kept for a loving marriage, but I am not naive enough to think that my children may choose to ignore this advice. I just hope and pray that they will make the right choices as they grow up. I do feel extremely sad though that schools are giving out a different message. My eldest child is already being given conflicting advice from teachers regarding some morals that he has been brought up with and as a child hitting teenage years, this is causing confusion for him. Schools have a huge influence on our children and it could have devastating effects on today's young generation.
Tike wrote:I assumed this, but 13 year olds can consent to sex. Vile as it sounds, it's legal!
Whilst underage sexual intercourse is illegal but action only usually taken if a complaint is made by the underage person involved, a 13 year old is not able under any circumstances to legally give consent to sex. Therefore sexual intercourse with a 13 year old is classed as statutory rape. Is the boyfriend of this 13 year old 14 or older? If so, he could/should be charged with rape - this is an offence that would have ramifications the rest of his life. Have the children, their parents and the Health professionals involved fully considered the correct implications? To be aware that a 13 year old is being raped and to do nothing apart from provide contraception is surely a failure to protect the 13 year old. Where are the Safeguarding and Police in this sorry matter?
eurogordi
says...
3:40pm Thu 9 Feb 12
Sex below the age of 16 is illegal because, in the eyes of the law, no one below that age can give consent. Irrespective of age, the boyfriend is guilty of rape and, if he is over 16, is technically a paedophile. But as others have said, the Police, Social Services etc. ignore the truth.
And for those on here that claim to give sexual advice to children under 16, why is this presented in a way that encourages sex? If sex education works, why does the UK still have the highest number of teenage pregnancies?
This country is in a state of moral filth and, more worryingly, this is being paid for by our taxes.
bigfella777 says...
2:17pm Wed 8 Feb 12
For goodness sake she can only just have started her periods. This country is an absolute mess.