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a clinic is located have felt so intimidated by the presence outside they have asked for the abortion service to be withdrawn.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

Support women's right to choose

Can I just say that I appreciate those who are anti-abortion supporting MNHQ in backing this campaign?

^^ agree

Puffins, that was a good article, thank you for posting it. This paragraph really jumped out at me:

"One in three women in the UK will have an abortion in their lives. The same one in three will feel emotional, sensitive and vulnerable the day they have that abortion. No one is pro abortion. They are pro choice. There is a massive difference. And on the day they walk into an abortion clinic, they should not be berated by so-called ‘Christians’."

I support it.

I would completely support it.

I am pro- choice, of course I am. But I do believe the time limit should be dropped below 24 weeks. It doesn't make sense to me that in one room, doctors are battling to save a 23 week baby and in the next room, a 24 week baby can be terminated.

But my views don't matter in this context. There is a time and place for free speech and outside these clinics is not one of them.

The problem with that Roonerism is that many life-limiting or incompatible with life issues are not detected until later in pregnancy. And as its only a tiny percentage of abortions that are carried out at that stage I'm not sure reducing the limit would made a great deal of difference. Statistics show that the majority of them take place before 12 weeks.

I support the MN campaign.

Sorry Bellerini - I wasn't clear. I was talking about the ones undertaken for non medical reasons. It might be a tiny fraction but the numbers are significant. Anyway, I don't want to hijack the thread as it doesn't change my support....

I fully support this, having been on the receiving end of these protestors at an incredibly vulnerable time myself.

Yes, 100% support this - terrible that it is needed.

Hi Roonerism, thanks for clarifying. I don't want to derail this thread either but just wanted to point out that the numbers of post-24 week abortions that take place is not "significant". The latest statistics for England and Wales show that 190 of these abortions took place last year and 189 of them were for medical reasons.

another who completely supports this.

As a teenager I had an abortion and it was a very difficult time for me. If I had to run a gauntlet of protesters to access the clinic I doubt I could have had the courage to do it, not to mention the loss of any sense of anonymity - which I guess is the protesters intention. I was fearful enough as it was without all of that. And yes it was the right decision - but it's never going to be an easy decision.

I also think we should support this. A woman may be considering abortion for any number of reasons. It is not against the law. Like any medical issue confidentiality should be 100%. Others have the right to express their opinion so may demonstrate elsewhere, near parliament perhaps, where decision makers are, not by intimidating individuals.

Yes I think Mumsnet should support this.

Yes, I would support this. I think people protesting should protest outside parliament. It is a hard enough decision to make without protestors hanging around. If they protest outside a clinic it could delay people having their abortions therefore going further against their cause.

I totally support this campaign and also wonder why these kind "christians' are allowed to demonstrate against people going about their perfectly legal business.

Oh dear Arh, yet another person who does not think that adult women are capable of making informed decisions for themselves

We are grown ups you know. We are educated enough to know exactly what we are doing. It's that age old trope of women being too feeble minded to comprehend what they are doing and it can fuck off right now.

I fully agree that you should support this. I support freedom of speech and those that oppose abortion should have the right to do so, but to intimidate and harass women on what must already be a traumatic day is unacceptable and cruel.

I support this! Well done MN and BPAS!

Yes, absolutely 100% support this.

I absolutely support this. Vulnerable pregnant women should not be intimidated and harassed this way and staff should be free to do their jobs without fear. Whatever your views on abortion, hopefully a buffer zone would encourage people to air their views in a respectful and appropriate way.

It's a wholehearted yes from me. Well done both MN and BPAS - you have my full support.