BREAKING: The Supreme Court of Queensland has just granted an abortion to a 12-year-old girl, identified in court documents as ‘G’, who became pregnant while in state custody and has a history of severe domestic violence. This urgent ruling comes as she sought medical help earlier this year, suspecting she was pregnant.
In early July, a scan confirmed she was five weeks and six days into her pregnancy. After being referred to a Queensland hospital, she requested a termination at seven weeks. The hospital escalated the case to the Supreme Court due to concerns regarding her ability to provide informed consent for the procedure.
Under the Gillick standard, minors can make healthcare decisions if they fully comprehend the implications. This ruling follows a similar case earlier this year, where another 12-year-old was granted an abortion by the same court.
The court heard that ‘G’ has been living in residential care since October 2024 and is under an interim child protection order. Despite her young age, she has educated herself online about termination methods. The 16-year-old father of the baby remains unaware of the pregnancy, and the girl has no contact with him following a falling-out.
Justice Melanie Hindman, in her decision, highlighted the girl’s troubling background. “She, sadly, has a child protection history record going back to 2012, which is the year of her birth,” she noted, pointing out that the girl has endured significant domestic violence. Her father is subject to a domestic violence order, and her mother struggles with mental health and substance abuse issues.
The court revealed that the girl’s mother initially expressed hostility toward her pregnancy, reportedly messaging her that she had shamed the family. This troubling dynamic underscores the urgency of the girl’s situation.
Queensland legalized abortion in 2018, allowing for such decisions to be made in an environment of informed consent. This landmark ruling not only raises critical questions about the rights of minors but also brings to light the ongoing issues surrounding child protection and domestic violence in Australia.
As the situation develops, attention will turn to how this ruling may influence future cases involving minors and reproductive rights. Advocates and officials alike are closely monitoring the implications of this decision, emphasizing the need for supportive frameworks for vulnerable youth in similar predicaments.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
