Is it appropriate for a university to give out pro-life leaflets

[StealthPolarBear]

I genuinely don't know. Was a bit disappointed

@Duckyneedsaclean - have you actually looked at SPUC'S website to see what they do? While they refer women to groups that may offer practical help, SPUC'S raison d'etre is to create an abortion free society. They openly state that their focus is on the unborn child. They aim to deter women from having abortions through scare mongering and misinformation, although they call it education and campaigning.

No longer can pro abortion advocates make the unscientific claim that a fetus is only a mass of cells

there are no pro abortion advocates. But if you mean pro choice, then of course we can. I'm just a mass of cells, like yourself. A fetus is also a mass of cells, but it is not a person, like you and I.

Not much belief in the right to free speech on Mumsnet tonight.

Have you read the thread? There's plenty

Because they could not support themselves and a baby for the next 16 years

And of course no ones circumstances change ever in the space of 16 years.

Who was that dick on the thread earlier saying that university students should be left to fend for themselves with no pastoral care, support if things go wrong etc.

These are 18 yo and up that we talking, while I was at uni there were 2 suicides. I don't think shrugging and calling them snowflakes is on really. Who the fuck says kids this age away from home should have no support with anything. An arsehole is who.

Anyway. No to spuc leaflets. Forced birth = no thanks.

And of course no ones circumstances change ever in the space of 16 years.

Well they can’t think I might be skint for year but I’ve got 16 years to MAYBE afford a child so I’ll keep it and hope for the best.

Will have been put there by a pro-life society of the christian union or something. If you had been handed something directly with the University logo on it by a member of staff it would be a bit different. Universities are public institutions after all.

They are not pro life. They are anti abortion.

Not much belief in the right to free speech on Mumsnet tonight

Of course there is. You have entirely missed the point.

peppapigwouldmakelovelyrashers I personally know someone who takes in women who have nowhere to go in crisis pregnancies, following referrals from SPUC.

Yes, they also campaign against abortion. The leaflet in question though seems about a surprise pregnancy where the woman wants to keep the baby, but her circumstances, and all the those around her lead her to thinking abortion is the only option.

Do you think it is wrong to offer her help to continue the pregnancy?

I personally don’t think your friend how ever nice she may seem should be getting involved in other people’s business especially pregnancy ducky

peppapigwouldmakelovelyrashers I personally know someone who takes in women who have nowhere to go in crisis pregnancies, following referrals from SPUC

And lies to them about what will happen if they get an abortion? Because that is what SPUC do. They tell lies to vulnerable women to try and force them not to have abortions.
How long does she keep them for? 18 years?

SPUC are vile, lying, misogynistic nasty fuckers.

If the woman wants to continue with her pregnancy what is the issue?

no need to worry about her having a termination - unless that decision was reached by sharing scary images and half truths - then is it really an informed choice?

I have supported women coming from Ireland to access terminations because they need one - is that a good thing as well because I think it is

I have supported women coming from Ireland to access terminations because they need one - is that a good thing as well because I think it is
Well this poster doesn't think it's a good thing because you shouldn't be getting invoved in other people's business, especially pregnancy.

I personally don’t think your friend how ever nice she may seem should be getting involved in other people’s business especially pregnancy

oh Mum I agree but you see I hadn't in any way influenced those women's choice - they had already made it - I just went with them to clinics and let them kip on my sofa - no scary lies or false promises :)
I have met women who changed their mind and didn't attempt to scare them into abortion ...

so way better than the support offered by anti choice organisations who lie and scare and abuse people

If the woman wants to continue with her pregnancy what is the issue?

Do you really not realise that many women who have abortions do not want to have abortions?

maybe what people fail to grasp is the people who are pro choice respect women's choices and support their rights either way

we don't force women into decisions or campaign to remove ALL women's choices

I think it’s nice that you help people who want abortions get them ghost because you’re not actually getting involved in their business you’re helping them access what they should have the right to access anyway

I fucking hate SPUC (personal experience of dealing with them).

But I support their right to print and distribute leaflets, even if I find the message odious.

Communal areas on university campuses are effectively public places so the university will not control or try to control leaflets which aren't illegal. In fact it's often the purview of the Students Union, which is independent of the university.

which is why they need access to impartial and safe counselling Ducky - I 100% agree - counselling they should be able to access without being abused and spat on :)

But I support their right to print and distribute leaflets, even if I find the message odious

I don't. They are full of lies and half truths and judgements. They are dangerous and I'll bin or burn them wherever I see them.

I personally know someone who takes in women who have nowhere to go in crisis pregnancies

@Dippingmytoesin You think the above is not nice because they took in and heloved a woman during a crises pregnancy.

I think it’s nice that you help people who want abortions get them ghost because you’re not actually getting involved in their business

But if they help women get abortions that's nice

They are dangerous and I'll bin or burn them wherever I see them

The Nazis burned literature too

We regularly have the pro-life campaigners handing out leaflets stacked with buckets of foetuses and giant posters informing students that abortion is murder. They set up in between the library and the SU building. It’s not an official university POV but it’s an unpleasant walk to lunch. They make quite the racket and foist leaflets on everyone. No one moves them on - they are there quite regularly.