The Editor, Sir:

I am weighing in on the abortion debate. At this time I wish to respond to a specific point in the letter from Dr. Peta-ann Baker, of the Dept of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work, UWI (Letter of the Day, Wednesday, February 13).

She refers to the present habit of some 'local 'community leaders' who 'sen[d] for' the young girls living in their community when they reach puberty. Dr Baker cites this situation as a reason for legalising abortion in order to save these girls from any resulting unwanted pregnancies.

Is Dr Baker serious? No doubt illegal abortions are taking place now, but is she advocating that the better means of stopping this criminal practice of carnally abusing underage girls is to sanction abortion? What about effectively stopping these sick men? What about prosecuting them and locking them up?

Repeated abortions

Sanctioning abortion would seal the fate of those innocent girls by sending the message that it's okay to abuse them because the law will facilitate the destruction of the evidence of their horrible act. What if these girls are repeatedly 'sent for'? Shall they get repeated abortions? How humane is that idea?

The efforts and costs involved in pursuing abortion as the solution would certainly be much better employed in arresting this practice, preserving the innocence of the girls and thereby restoring in the mentioned helpless mothers, family and friends, confidence in the law and its enforcement.

I am, etc.,

PHILIPPA DAVIES

seivadap@gmail.com