Pregnancy Conflicts Act
Schwangerschaftskonfliktgesetz (SchKG) 

Act on the Avoidance and Resolution of Pregnancy Conflicts (Preg-nancy Conflicts Act – SchKG) of 27 July 1992, last amended by Art. 1 of the Act of 21 August 1995

The Pregnancy Conflicts Act – SchKG – regulates the information as well as the content and the process of pregnancy conflict counselling. The Act states that the Federal Centre for Health Education (Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung), which is responsible for health awareness and health education, will prepare specific concepts for the sex education of various age groups or target groups in consultation with the Länder and in co-operation with representatives of family counselling centres operated by various providers in the interest of preventive health care, as well as of avoiding and resolving pregnancy conflicts.

Educational material will be provided free of charge to individuals upon request and as teaching material to schools and vocational training centres, counselling centres as well as all institutions for youth work and education.

Every woman and every man has the right to receive free information and counselling from a specialised counselling centre on issues of sex education, contraception and family planning as well as all issues which are indirectly or directly related to pregnancy. The counselling entitlement includes information on

• sex education, contraception and family planning,
• existing assistance and benefits for children and families including their special labour-related rights,
• preventive checkups during pregnancy and the cost of delivery,
• social and economic assistance to pregnant mothers and especially financial benefits, as well as assistance in finding or retaining accommodation, employment or a trainee position,
• assistance opportunities for persons with disabilities and their families which are available before and after the birth of a child, whose physical mental or psychological health has been impaired,
• methods for terminating a pregnancy; the physical and mental consequences of such a termination and the associated risks,
• opportunities for resolving psychosocial conflicts in connection with a pregnancy,
• legal and psychological aspects in connection with an adoption.
   

The required counselling pursuant to section 219 of the Criminal Code does not anticipate a specific result. It is to be based on the woman’s responsibility. The counselling is to provide encouragement and create understanding, but not to instruct or indoctrinate the woman. Pregnancy conflict counselling is intended to protect unborn life.

The pregnant woman is to also receive support in asserting her claims and finding accommodation, identifying a care facility for the child and continuing her own training or education.