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

[StealthPolarBear]

I genuinely don't know. Was a bit disappointed

Yes all good points. I think it comes down to what type of leaflet it is, advice for pregnant individuals or publicity for their campaign. I assumed it was the former.

"However, if you wouldn't complain if there was a pro choice leaflet then i think complaining there was a pro life leaflet is a bit "i'm open to free speech as long as your views match mine"."

That would only apply if there were leaflets for some mythical organisation that threatens women with all sorts of physical, psychological and spiriual harm if they don't have abortions. Pro life and pro choice are not two sides of the same coin.

I've made that point a few times but no one can see it

I couldn't have burned them. It was raining heavily 🤣🤣🤣

I'd bet my life that the university didn't endorse those leaflets and some fundy religious man put them there.

"I've made that point a few times but no one can see it"

To be fair, you are a stealth polar bear. What did you expect?

:) I suppose. Never invisible when I want to be though

Leaflets with details of non-directive counselling would be fine, to my mind. SPUC are definitely not non-directive. To put it mildly, they are fundamentalist extremists and shouldn't be let anywhere near a pregnant woman.

I suspect the university did not give permission for them to be placed there. A student or member of staff who is a member of SPUC presumably left them there. You should bring them to the attention of someone and they will more than likely remove them.

However, freedom of speech and academic freedom are taken seriously in most universities so staff and students would be entitled to make their views known.

Universities typically are open areas which means that any tom, dick or Harry can wander through distributing material long before the university picks up on this.

Students now going into a quasi adult world are going to be exposed to all sorts.

It's fairly common for 'controversial' organisations to cloak some of their advice under the guise of something else. At first glance this leaflet just appears to offer counselling for pregnant women - the SPUC logo is small and unassuming.

I used to work for a public library service & we often received leaflets from an 'anti-drugs' organisation that appeared to offer addiction advice, but was actually promoting Scientology (the drugs angle came in from them comparing anti depressants to heroin and cocaine!) Once we were onto them we stopped putting them out & binned any future deliveries. If staff don't have time to analyse this stuff in detail then it's easily done & they would probably be happy to remove anything from their advice section that's inappropriate.

It's also a possibility that they are dropped off by activists from that group without any knowledge of the university at all.

I used to work in a uni student support service and we would sometimes find this kind of material (and other fundamental Christian stuff) was left with our official information leaflets. They went straight in the bin as we didn't want to give the impression we endorsed anything that would affect people's own choices and decisions beyond giving them facts.

It might be worth letting the department know, if they've been covertly snuck in then they need to be aware. They also might have cctv to help them identify the culprit.

Yes. I think the pro-life viewpoint should be put forward. Can't see any reason why it should not be.

because its completely inappropriate, is that not reason enough?

That would only apply if there were leaflets for some mythical organisation that threatens women with all sorts of physical, psychological and spiriual harm if theydon'thave abortions
I agree entirely with you on the horrific actions of some pro life groups.
However, a pro life leaflet doesn't automatically contain threats.

If the leaflets were threatening then complain.
If they are presenting a different view to me, that isn't grounds to complain.

I think there's an increasing issue in universities of people trying to limit free speech, no platform people, deciding some views are ok but not other perfectly legal views.

Deciding 'i don't like pro life views and sharing them in public is inappropriate' is all rather thought police to me.

I dislike pro life groups, but will defend their right to share their view as long as they are within the law.

Yes. I think the pro-life viewpoint should be put forward. Can't see any reason why it should not be.

But this isn't 'putting forward the pro-life argument' - it's trying to influence vulnerable women. If there had been a leaflet on the societies table saying 'campaign to repeal the 1967 abortion act!' then fine, that's putting forward a debate and viewpoint. But that's not what this leaflet does at all - it masquerades as neutral advice.

Not appropriate at all and probably done without the university's knowledge. I'd report it and make a complaint in writing.

I don't see anything wrong with letting students know that continuing pregnancy is an acceptable choice. When DSis got pregnant at uni the pressure to have an abortion was appalling and really put me off calling myself pro-choice. That said, I haven't read the full leaflet and the name of the organisation sounds overly emotive so I wouldn't trust them to provide dispassionate information on the options.

Burning is too good for them -and I'm not talking about the leaflets

What is it you are talking about then? The people? You would burn people?

I have never seen a single pro choice leaflet which did not make it clear that keeping the baby was one of the available choices.

I have never seen a single pro choice leaflet which did not make it clear that keeping the baby was one of the available choices

The picture of the leaflet the op posted makes it clear that getting rid of it is an option.

I'd say that it's appropriate for them to be able to promote all angles - I don't agree with the whole pro-life thing, but people can make their own educated decision on what they believe.

Again, this is an essentially fake 'counselling' service aimed at persuading pregnant women to continue with their pregnancies. It isn't 'putting forward a pro-life view' in a genuinely open way for debate.

What is it you are talking about then? The people? You would burn people?

Yep, that is literally what I mean. I'm collecting firewood as we speak.

Have you ever met a SPUC-er? I have. One of the most disgusting sickos I have ever met in my life.

That's good bertrand. I haven't actually read any leaflets as it has never affected me. Tbf, the pressure DSis faced was from people rather than leaflets - doctors, nurses, tutor, student welfare, some friends and a couple of family members. It is only one persons experience but it has affected how I feel about the issues - imo nobody should face judgement for whatever decision they make.

Yeah, sure. Course it does.

Sorry-can’t be doing with forced birthers, especially ones who pretend that SPUC is going to give an even remotely balanced viewpoint.