Catalogue Number
NMLH.1994.168.503
Object Name
Poster
Title
Reverse Gillick poster
People
Thatcher
Events
Gillick Competence ruling
Date
1984
Description
Yellow poster, with green writing at the top that says "True Romance?" There is an illustration of a male, and a larger drawing of a woman who looks worried. There is a green "stop" sign and underneath it says "it is now illegal to give confidential contraceptive advice and help to under 16s." Underneath it says "Reverse GILLICK" in black writing . The bottom of the poster has large green writing advertising a demonstration - this says "Demonstrate Sunday June 23" "assemble at noon, Lincolns Inn Fields, Rally in Jubilee gardens." There is red handwriting - do not know if this part was written on this specific poster whether it is a photocopy - "B'ham N.A.C coaches 8:30am hall of memory. 5 waged 2.50 unwaged. Under 16 free, Ring 707-4983 to book seats." Bottom of the poster says "Young Communists, 16 st John St, London EC1." This poster was created to advertise a demonstration to campaign for the right to contraceptive advice and help to under 16s, The poster says "Reverse Gillick" - Gillick competence is a term used in medical law to decide whether a child (under 16) is able to consent to their own medical treatment, without the need for parental permission or knowledge. Victoria Gillick was a woman who campaigned against contraceptive advice/prescribed contraception to an under 16 from a doctor - she stated the doctor would commit an offence of encouraging sex with a minor, and the treatment would be without consent as consent should be vested in the parent. She was unsuccessful before the High Court of Justice but succeeded in the Court of Appeal. the law resulted in the agreement and legal rights for a child to make a decision, instead of the parent when reaching "Sufficient maturity." Gillick competence was used to justify under 16s not being able to access contraceptive advice. In 1980, the circular about parental consent and the issue of contraception advice to under 16s, was reviewed, The conclusion was that a doctor or a professional should always persuade a child to involve her parents. In 1984, the high court ruling was in favour of Victoria Gillick, in which it was deemed illegal for health professions to advise of give under 16s contraceptives without parental consent. This was overturned in 1985, due to the huge drop in under 16s visiting family planning clinics. The issue before the House of Lords was only whether the minor involved could give consent - the court held that parental rights did not exist, other than to safeguard the best interests of a minor, majority held that in some circumstances minors could consent to treatment. Protests for women's rights, healthcare rights, and contraceptive rights have been ongoing, and were particularly prominent in the 1980s. This poster and demonstration would have been created in 1984, the year before Gillick was reversed.
