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a clinic is located have felt so intimidated by the presence outside they have asked for the abortion service to be withdrawn.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

[Hollyhocks7]

Yes I would support this

[FoodPorn]

I know you're backing this, but I want to say that I don't support this. It feels as though it impedes freedom of speech and to assemble/protest and I think both should be next to sacred in our society. Existing law would adequately protect women from protesters who act inappropriately. It's a slippery slope to there being legal protection from protest in general.

[carameldecaflatte]

Yes 100%.

[BIWI]

How on earth is it impeding freedom of speech?!

Everyone on this thread has said that they support people's right to protest, and BPAS/MNHQ are not campaigning for anti-abortionists' rights in this regard.

The whole campaign is about the prevention of the anti-abortionists' tactics of intimidation and harassment of women who are seeking information, advice and LEGAL medical procedures.

How is that so hard to comprehend?

[SabrinaMulhollandJjones]

Am I right in thinking that protest, even peaceful, in parliament square has been severely restricted now? The government have effectively introduced a buffer zone around themselves - the lawmakers. Why not around BPAS clinics to protect vulnerable women?

[SparklyTwinkleGlitter]

Yes 100% support this.

[RojaGato]

100% support this. The situation in the US has gotten totally out of hand and it's starting to go down the same road here.

[Devilforasideboard]

Yes, please support this.

[TamzinGrey]

100% support from me too.

[atticusfinchatemybaby]

Yes, absolutely. It is absolutely appalling - women have a right to access abortion services - for WHATEVER reason - without being intimidated, insulted, and made to feel even more miserable than they already are. Nobody has an abortion for fun.

[ChocFudgeCake]

Of course no woman should feel threatened by activists. I have seen protesters outside of Marie Stopes -not right by the door, about 10meters away- praying and asking women if they wanted to talk and then backing away if the women declined. I cannot believe people have not seen this!! I actually think this is a good thing to do.

[Cheepypeepy]

Yes

[PuffinsAreFictitious]

Because sadly Choc, they have for some time now stood right by the doors of sexual health clinics with enormous posters of photoshopped 'foetuses', filming and photographing women as they go about their private and completely legal business, asking for personal information from women entering or even walking past the premises and generally being a nuisance. If they believed they were lobbying to stop abortion, they wouldn't be harassing vulnerable women, they would be lobbying Parliament. They merely wish to harass women.

It's a bloody awful thing for them to do.

[atticusfinchatemybaby]

This is the best, and most heartbreaking, response to anti-abortion activists I have ever seen.
goodmenproject.com/featured-content/confronting-life/

[kleinzeit]

Yes, please support this. I wish it wasn't necessary.

[Andrewofgg]

Obviously Yes. The right to go in peace and unmolested about your lawful occasions trumps the "right" to bother others and call it a protest.

Aduaz Please stop trying to justify the idea that anyone with a Y chromosome hates half the species. It's not true but men like you give the rest of us a bad name.

[GatoradeMeBitch]

I'm glad you are supporting this. I hope it helps!

[ChippingInLovesChristmasLights]

I don't know how he held his temper with those stupid, stupid women.

[Updatingmywill]

Yes! Please do support this. This kind of intimidation and bullying makes me very angry.

[AskBasil4StuffingRecipe]

Thanks for supporting this MN.

[NatashaGurdin]

I signed the petition for this as it is an important issue. I'm pro-choice anyway as despite what the anti-abortionists seem to believe the choice is often between safe, legal abortion and dangerous back street abortion not between completing the pregnancy or ending it. There are many reasons why women might seek an abortion and they need to be able to do this unhindered.

I am glad that Mumsnet are supporting this.