‘Buffer zones’ of 150m around abortion clinics will be in place from October 31, the Home Office has stated.
Home Office Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips said: “The right to access abortion services is a fundamental right for women in this country, and no one should feel unsafe when they seek to access this. We will not sit back and tolerate harassment, abuse and intimidation as people exercise their legal right to healthcare, which is why we have fast-tracked this measure to get it up and running without further delay. For too long abortion clinics have been without these vital protections, and this government is determined to do all we can do to make this country a safer place for women.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told the Labour Party conference in Liverpool in September: “Ten years ago, I called for buffer zones around abortion clinics, but we weren’t in government. We couldn’t make it happen. Now we can and yes we have. Because no woman should be harassed on the way to a healthcare appointment that is her legal right.”
Background
Such zones became law by the Public Order Act 2023, but were not brought in by the Conservative Government. The College of Policing and Crown Prosecution Service will publish guidance for police and prosecutors ahead of October 31, the Home Office said. Whether someone intentionally or recklessly influences someone’s decision to use abortion services, obstructs them, or causes harassment or distress to someone using or working at these premises, enough to fall under the new law, is expected to be challenged by anti-abortion campaigners, who argue that they have the freedom to pray and hold vigils. The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) for example held a protest outside the Holyrood Parliament against the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill on September 24, as it came into force.
SPUC CEO John Deighan described buffer zone legislation as an affront to basic freedoms. “The fact that someone can be criminalised for praying or offering help to a woman in need is an outrageous and dangerous precedent. SPUC is here to ensure that this sweeping attack on civil liberties does not go unnoticed.”
In Scotland
Meanwhile in September under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill, ‘protected zones’ of 200 metres around all abortion services in Scotland, in hospitals and at clinics, went in place. A crime may include, the Holyrood Government said, approaching someone to try and persuade them not to access abortion services, surrounding people as they try to go in or out of the clinic or hospital, handing out leaflets, religious preaching and silent vigils. Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health Jenni Minto said: “The introduction of Safe Access Zones is a crucial milestone in protecting women’s abortion rights – no one has the right to interfere in women’s personal medical decisions and the law now makes that abundantly clear.
“I thank [Green Party member of the Scottish Parliament] Gillian Mackay and all those involved for their work to progress this legislation. I would like especially recognise the women who showed incredible courage in speaking up and sharing their experiences during the Bill process.
“The new zones of 200 meters around all abortion services will help ensure women have safe access to healthcare – free from intimidation. This law is about protection for women at a time when many will feel incredibly vulnerable around taking a deeply personal and difficult decision.”
Photo by Mark Rowe; silent anti-abortion protest across the road from an abortion clinic, central London, 2019.
