Victoria Gillick
Encyclopedia
Victoria D.M. Gillick is a British campaigner best known for the eponymous 1985 UK House of Lords ruling
that considered whether contraception
could be prescribed to under-16s without parental consent or knowledge. The ruling established the term "Gillick competence
" to describe whether a minor (16 years or younger) is able to consent to his or her own medical treatment, without the need for parental permission or knowledge.
A Roman Catholic and the mother of 10 children including 5 daughters, Gillick began her campaign in 1980 in response to a DHSS circular issuing guidance on contraceptive prescribing. After being considered in lower courts, the House of Lords ruled that in some circumstances a minor could consent to treatment, and that in these circumstances a parent had no power to veto treatment.
In 2000, Gillick lost a libel action against the Brook Advisory Centre which she claimed accused her of being "morally responsible" for a rise in teenage pregnancies. Costs of £4,298.15 were awarded against her.
In 2002 she won an apology and damages amounting to £5000 and costs.
Gillick competence
Gillick competence is a term originating in England and is used in medical law to decide whether a child is able to consent to his or her own medical treatment, without the need for parental permission or knowledge....
that considered whether contraception
Contraception
Contraception is the prevention of the fusion of gametes during or after sexual activity. The term contraception is a contraction of contra, which means against, and the word conception, meaning fertilization...
could be prescribed to under-16s without parental consent or knowledge. The ruling established the term "Gillick competence
Gillick competence
Gillick competence is a term originating in England and is used in medical law to decide whether a child is able to consent to his or her own medical treatment, without the need for parental permission or knowledge....
" to describe whether a minor (16 years or younger) is able to consent to his or her own medical treatment, without the need for parental permission or knowledge.
A Roman Catholic and the mother of 10 children including 5 daughters, Gillick began her campaign in 1980 in response to a DHSS circular issuing guidance on contraceptive prescribing. After being considered in lower courts, the House of Lords ruled that in some circumstances a minor could consent to treatment, and that in these circumstances a parent had no power to veto treatment.
In 2000, Gillick lost a libel action against the Brook Advisory Centre which she claimed accused her of being "morally responsible" for a rise in teenage pregnancies. Costs of £4,298.15 were awarded against her.
In 2002 she won an apology and damages amounting to £5000 and costs.