Weird situation this evening... can't shake it.

[Idontknownowwhat]

I went to A&E with my teen daughter this evening. I got out and realised that there were people sat in a car.
The driver said something that seemed too loud to be to the person next to them. So I glanced the direction of the car. The man in the drivers seat then said something else and I thought maybe he's asking for details on the parking or something- there's been work going on around the hospital so I know I was a bit confused when I arrived.

So I go back towards his car, and he says "Do you know where to get an abortion?"
I didn't answer at this point because I certainly wasn't expecting that question.
He then follows up with, she's 9 months pregnant. She wants an abortion. At this point I look at the passenger seat, an obviously pregnant woman.

I say...do you mean somewhere to give birth? The maternity area is the other side of the hospital.

He says no, abortion. She doesn't want to have the baby.

I replied, but I'm not sure that's possible. In this country abortions aren't really given to women past 24 weeks.

He replies, how many months. I said, 6?

He says well who do we speak to about this abortion at 9 months?

I say, I'm not sure, the entrance to A&E is there, I'm sure they can have a conversation with her about her pregnancy.

He then shuts his car door, not looking best pleased.

Turns his car around and exits the hospital car park.

....I've not been able to shake how strange this was and how quickly he moved his car from that conversation. By the time I thought, I should maybe get his reg no, he was gone.

I've asked my family this evening whether I should have called the police, and they've all said no, but we're all neurodivergent so I'm thinking maybe none of us are reacting in the correct way.

But I feel like there's a baby at risk, and even if I was to call the police in the morning, if they were concerned enough to chase this up, there are cameras right opposite the exit of the hospital. Maybe they could find where the cars registered.

Sounds like a super vulnerable possibly trafficked lady - call police.

I would call the police, hospital car parks have cctv they may be able to track the car from the reg. Sounds very much like the woman may be in a very bad situation :(

I would report it to the police. I’m not sure if they would do anything but it would be the right thing for you to do.

That is worrying. You could report to police on 101 non emergency, hopefully with the cameras etc.. at the hospital they can trace them.

Very worrying.
Police definitely.

Call police

Thank you both. I actually just needed to hear that I was right in my thinking and not wasting police time...
I live properly local to the hospital so I know that there are cameras whichever way they'd have gone so with a description of the car and time, I'm sure the police could track down the car.

This whole situation has been on my mind since 8pm. I had to go half an hour out of the way to get my younger kids, then I had to settle them and the whole time it's been there in the back of my mind and I've been kicking myself I didn't do anything useful for that woman, or baby.

And contact the hospital’s safeguarding team.

In my experience trafficked women with major health issues are often just dumped from the car outside the hospital. But it sounds sinister. Thanks for reporting this - hopefully the police will take it seriously.

Oh my God, yes absolutely call the police immediately.

Call the police , I’m thinking trafficked woman

How was the woman reacting in the car? Were they English I only ask that as he didn’t seem to know the law for abortion in this country. Definitely call the police and perhaps contact the hospital also.

Report it to the police. Give them as much detail as you remember:

• Time/Date
• Exact location
• Make/model colour of the car
• Description of both people in the car

Report it to the hospital and give them the exact same details. (Search the name of the hospital and Safeguarding. Hopefully there should be an email address/contact number and details you can use).

Please don’t beat yourself up, there wasn’t much else you could have done x

This sends shivers down my spine. Anither vote to call the police immediately and inform the hospital.

This is obviously worrying, but in general I wouldn't hesitate calling out of fear of wasting police time, if you think something sinister may be happening. It's their job to sort through and identify legitimate concerns. Better to err on the side of caution and let them figure it out from there.

Please call the Police. This is awful.

Definitely call the police.

If this isn't human trafficking it feels like it has the potential to have some sort of abuse behind it.

If they're trying to get an abortion at 9 months then they will use any back alley method they can find.

Keep a close eye on the news for an abandoned baby being found and remember the time amd date you spoke to him at the hospital

This

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but you should have really stayed quiet, nodded and directed them in to A&E who ‘could help them with that’ as A&E would have been best placed to handle the situation involving all relevant authorities as opposed to you giving that speech. There are lots of delaying tactics in A&E (while appearing to be helpful) for cases like this where you are mustering the right support in the background. That would have been a better outcome.

I agree. It sounds like a report should be made. There should be CCTV that the police can review.

As a side note - some people are just a-holes. I don’t engage.

Agree that this needs to be reported. I would have said abortions are this way and guided them to the A&E and had a word with one of the staff and said to discreetly call the police. Good luck I’m sure whatever info you can offer, it will be useful,

I agree in hindsight it would have been wonderful but OP has said she is ND and with that sometimes comes the inability to read others intentions.

I think she was simply the wrong person at the right time so the best thing she can do now is pass it on the police.

Abortion is (almost always) illegal at 9 months and so if there is a crime about to take place you should report it.
That said, in hindsight you over involved yourself in the appropriateness of an abortion in this situation. I think after the first time I would’ve directed them to A&E stating the abortion clinic is in there, speak to reception and they’ll book you in. As far as little white lies go, it may have got the lady to a place of safety.