Should MN support a BPAS call for non-protest 'buffer zones' outside abortion clinics? Tell MNHQ what you think

[RowanMumsnet]

Hello all

We've been contacted by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, who want to know whether Mumsnet can support a call they're going to make for buffer zones around abortion clinics - and as ever we'd like to run it past MNers to see what you think.

Here's what BPAS say:

'Over recent years there has been an escalation in anti-abortion activity outside clinics in the UK. Women attending pregnancy advice and abortion centres are now regularly exposed to groups of anti-abortion activists standing directly outside. Many of these protesters bear large banners of dismembered foetuses, distribute leaflets containing misleading information about abortion, and follow and question women as they enter or leave the centres. Often, these people carry cameras strapped to their chests or positioned on a tripod. Women report feeling intimidated and distressed by this activity as they try to access a lawful healthcare service in confidence. Pregnant staff at clinics have on occasion needed escorting from the building by the police. Recently, NHS staff on premises where a clinic is located have felt so intimidated by the presence outside they have asked for the abortion service to be withdrawn. The closure of a service as a result of anti-abortion activity would be unprecedented.'

'We believe enough is enough.'

'One in three women will have an abortion in her lifetime. We are a society which values freedom of speech, but also one where the vast majority of us support a woman’s access to abortion services. The right to protest needs to be balanced with the right of pregnant women to obtain advice and treatment in confidence and free from intimidation. For those who wish to campaign to restrict women’s reproductive choices, there are plenty of opportunities and locations in which to do so. The space immediately outside a clinic need not and should not not be one of them.'

'Women should feel confident that they can approach centres for advice and services without fear of intimidation, or anxious that their identity will be compromised by protesters filming outside. Establishing access zones free from anti-abortion activists around clinics would provide the reassurance and security women need. We urge all political parties to act to protect women as they make their own personal decision about their pregnancy. Women deserve nothing less.'

We know MNers tend to feel fairly strongly about abortion and that there are views on both sides of this debate - so do please let us know what you think.

Thanks

MNHQ

100% support this

HoneyBadger... are you actually inside my head? You have articulated exactly what I believe on this subject.

And in answer to your question(ish) about whether there is a single group which provides an adequate level of support for these women they 'save', no, there isn't. Some of them provide a small level of support until the baby is born, and then they leave the woman to it. Or alternatively, they coerce the woman into giving the baby up for adoption.

You're also correct about they type of person who does this. Ultra conservative, anti welfare, anti single parents, anti women and in the US, anti access to healthcare for anyone not rich and white.

I support it

I absolutely support it. I know of a case where a 16 year old girl in a rural area ended up having a long wait and travel for a termination because pro choice pressure had resulted in reduced local services.

That is so not right.

Mm- please do support it.

www.lifenetwork.org.au/_blog/Pro_Life_Groups/post/abortion-protesters-saved-my-babys-life/

lifecharity.org.uk/what-you-can-do/volunteer/

The first link is a story about someone helped before AND AFTER the birth by a pro-life group.
The second link is from the website of the first pro-life group in the uk which came up when I Googled. This group has houses with support for single mums.It runs parenting courses and offers counselling. I cannot believe that you have made any attempt to research what these organisations DO offer because you are so against the fact that they exist. The people I know who are involved in Pro-life activities have always assured me that their organisation will offer ongoing counselling and support to a woman whether she chooses abortion or continuing the pregnancy.
I am not saying that it is right for people to stand outside clinics and I agree that maybe they should be advertising their services more obviously as in TV campaigns but do not make sweeping statements about the people involved in pro-life movements.They are very passionate about life and some of the most enthusiastic volunteers are those who have had abortions and always regretted it.They do offer ongoing support and friendship to those that need it and for all you know they may be campaigning for many of the things honey badger mentions.

not making much noise about it if they are dear. they seem far more keen on calling people murderers and trying to traumatise women with images of fetus'

maybe they could do with a better pr campaign.

i also find 'life' a bit of a vague term.

passionate supporters of 'life' ????

being a passionate supporter of an abstract concept or one so wide it is meaningless tends to equate to hot air and self indulgence.

100% support this.

An undercover view of some Life-affiliated 'clinics': www.vice.com/en_uk/read/undercover-abortion-christian-abortion-counsellor

Plus I have to take issue with the volunteers who do so because they regret their own abortions.

I had one at 20, without hesitation and without regret. I don't go round trying to talk pregnant women into having an abortion because having a baby was the wrong choice for me at that time.

VDB... sorry I know people who are involved in Life, it's a catholic forced birther group. They don't help past the birth of the baby, they also put a lot of pressure on women to give birth at a time when they are often very vulnerable. I have, unlike most forced birthers looked extensively into the opposing view. It's important to have balance. They are indeed 'passionate' about making sure women have no bodily autonomy, so passionate in fact that they sometimes murder people because of it. They should not be allowed to harass and intimidate women going about their lawful business.

Vdbfamily, does that 'ongoing support' include child maintenance? You know, actual cold hard cash?

Will they also support an orphaned child through to adulthood if the mother commits suicide after the birth?

"do not make sweeping statements about the people involved in pro-life movements.They are very passionate about life"

This is another bit of the argument I don't get.

How does one reconcile being 'very passionate about life' with issuing death threats and more to clinic directors and workers?

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2031572/Abortion-Mail-writers-investigation-counselling-services-poses-disturbing-questions.html

It seems that it is almost impossible to be unbiased one way or another. The most balanced was a Pro-life one actually in this particular undercover story.

Has anyone ever seen a LIFE charity shop or the like btw?

I absolutely support this

Yes fully support this too

The charity shops appear to be up north if you Google.

So the BPAS advice of ‘What I’m not doing is persuading you that having an abortion is a good idea.’ wasn't balanced then, VDB?

It was the LIFE service that the journo described as "unrelenting interrogation and pressure."

I might find this single article written 3 years ago more compelling if it a. wasn't published by the DM and b. was written by a respected investigative journalist.

As it was neither, it adds precisely nothing to this debate.

Yes, 100 % support this. Demonstrating outside a clinic is an abusive and callous act perpetrated against vulnerable women.

Yes I would definitely support this

Yes, I 100% support this.

Absolutely support this.

Yes I support this and believe MN should support this too.

Yes I support it