Adverts on 'secret abortions' in teenage magazines

An advertising campaign telling children under 16 that their parents need not be informed if they seek contraception or an abortion is to be funded by the Government.

Adverts in teenage magazines will reassure readers they have the right to " confidential advice on contraception, condoms, pregnancy and abortion", even if they are under the age of consent.

The "right to confidentiality" campaign will add to the controversy over the 14-yearold girl who was allowed to have an abortion without her mother's knowledge after advice from a health worker at her school. It emerged today that Melissa Smith was advised by a community health worker aged 21 at Brunts School in Mansfield.

The worker, Claire Chapman, did not accompany Melissa to the clinic and sent a text message wishing her "good luck" at the hospital

The family is considering taking action on the basis that Melissa did not properly consent to the abortion. Her mother Maureen, a divorced care-worker, said: "How can a 21-year-old think she knows my child better than I do?"

The Smith family's lawyer, Angela Donen, said: "We have got a situation where the rights are with the child and yet the responsibilities are being put on the parents."

The advertising campaign comes after a recommendation last year by the Independent Advisory Group on Teenage Pregnancy, which said children were reluctant to seek sex advice from doctors or clinics as they feared their parents would be told.

Norman Well, of Family and Youth Concern, said: "The provision of contraceptive advice or abortion services to young people without their parents' support breaks down the relationship of trust within the family."