Clause 8

Subject to subsections (3) and (4) of this section, the Board shall not grant any application for treatment to terminate pregnancy unless it is in possession of a consent in writing of the applicant in relation to such treatment.

Such consent in writing for treatment to terminate pregnancy shall be given —

If there is no parent or guardian of an applicant under eighteen years of age the Board may itself give consent for treatment to terminate pregnancy.

Where the applicant is so insane or is so feeble-minded as to be incapable of giving a valid consent the Board alone shall decide whether good reason exists for treatment to terminate pregnancy but before deciding to authorise such treatment the Board shall consult the husband of the applicant or, if she is unmarried, the parent or guardian of the applicant, but if there is no such husband, parent or guardian the Board may proceed to authorise treatment to terminate pregnancy without any such consultation.

An applicant may, in the cases mentioned under subsections (2) and (3) of this section, withdraw consent to treatment to terminate pregnancy at any time before such treatment is carried out and where an applicant so decides to withdraw consent she shall immediately advise the Board of her decision not to undergo such treatment.

Such consent shall be in such form as the Board shall decide and shall when given be deemed sufficient proof of consent.

Any person who, by means of coercion or intimidation, compels or induces a pregnant woman against her will to undergo treatment to terminate pregnancy shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to a fine not exceeding three thousand dollars or to both such imprisonment and fine.