Drug addicts and women with learning difficulties should have compulsory contraception to ‘prevent child abuse’, Dutch experts claim
- Advisory group lodged the proposal with the Dutch House of Representatives
- Child protection officials would be able to apply for a court order
- The order could be sought if the woman had a psychiatric illness, a learning difficulty, a Hepatitis B or C infection, or a history of abusing children
A group of child protection experts has urged the Dutch government to roll out compulsory contraception for women who are addicted to drugs or mentally ill to 'prevent child abuse'.
The Standing Committee for Compulsory Contraception has lodged the proposal with the Dutch House of Representatives which claims the measure would stop children being abused by mothers who are unable to cope with raising them.
The proposal, which could see 'hundreds' of women given a contraceptive implant or injection, would see child protection officials apply for a court order to curb a woman's ability to conceive for a given period of time.
The court order could be sought if the woman had a mental health condition, a diagnosed learning difficulty, a Hepatitis B or C infection, or if she had a history of child abuse, Dutch News reported.
The proposal, which could see 'hundreds' of women given a contraceptive implant or injection, suggested a system in which child protection officials would apply for a court order to curb a woman's ability to conceive for a given period of time. (Pictured: A contraceptive implant)
Former juvenile judge Cees de Groot, who submitted the proposal, used an example of a prostitute with a diagnosed psychiatric illness whose clients paid more for a pregnant woman - leading to her wanting a child.
De Groot told AD.nl that 70 per cent of women considered vulnerable already co-operated with voluntary contraception, adding that it was the 30 per cent who didn't who were a cause for concern.
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Heleen Dupuis, a former cabinet minister, who is also a member of the advisory group, said that forced contraception was 'the lesser of two evils'.
In 2016, current health minister Hugo de Jonge made a similar proposal, calling the measures 'a very complex and sensitive subject'.
‘The situations in which some children come into the world are downright harrowing. That’s why I support the prevention of vulnerable parenthood,’ he said.
In 2016, current health minister Hugo de Jonge (pictured earlier this month) made a similar proposal, calling the measures 'a very complex and sensitive subject'
The proposal has been controversial among Dutch parties and members of parliament are reluctant to support it, according to iamexpat.nl.
Member of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), Ockje Tellegen, said the party was hesitant to support the measures.
'Children must be protected, sometimes unfortunately also from their parents,' she said.
'They cannot do that themselves, so there is a task for the government.
'Doctors and judges can already advise contraception.
'The question is therefore whether a separate law is necessary. The VVD is very hesitant.'
Kees van der Staaij, member of the Reformed Political Party (SGP), said the government should 'never cross the border to determine who can have children.'
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