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a clinic is located have felt so intimidated by the presence outside they have asked for the abortion service to be withdrawn.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

Please support this.

Yes

Yes. 100% yes.

I will totally support this buffer zone.
Last December my friends and I took part in a campaign in Cardiff to protest against the harassment of women accessing abortion services in the city centre.

These people may claim to be Christians but showed no humanity, humility or empathy at all.

It was very satisfying chanting, 'Get your rosaries off our ovaries,' petty of me I know.

Yes, I think this should be supported.

I don't think animal rights activists should be allowed to harass staff in labs either. That would be an excellent wider consequence.

The right to protest does not include the right to harass. Where one freedom can't be granted without risk of infringing another individual's competing rights, a compromise needs to be sought. This bit of law would grant freedom to protest, without infringing the right of other people to choose to attend an abortion advice centre or clinic.

I'm concerned about the wider implications of supporting any campaign that attempts to dilute freedom of speech and freedom to protest. I think both are cornerstones of democracy and creating buffer zones could have a hugely detrimental effect on fundamental freedoms.

I'm not at all condoning the incidents that BPAS is citing but we already have breach of the peace legislation and laws to protect us from harrasment and intimidation. Curbing where people can protest could be used to silence legitimate campaigns.

Yes yes yes

People should have the right, in a democratic country, to protest. Absolutely. Even though I abhor the BNP and the EDL, for example, they do have a right to their views.

But nobody has the right to harass anyone else. The behaviour of anti-abortionists outside the clinics way, way, way over-steps the mark and is (I would have thought) something that could be construed as anti-social. So presumably they could all be served with ASBOs?

Whatever - they must not be allowed to hound and intimidate women (and their partners/companions) who attend the clinics.

Yes, that expresses it better - what would it do beyond existing legislation, and what else would it apply to?

Yes please, I hate that it's legal to bully and harass women at what is likely to be a difficult and emotional time for them. Hateful behaviour.

Please support this.

Not sure I buy the wider implications arguement - most other examples target organisations, not individuals accessing healthcare.

Despite (personally) being more pro-life than pro-choice, I'd fully support what BPAS is suggesting.

Absolutely!

No one takes abortion advice on a whim. They do not need unnecessary pressure and abuse outside the clinic.

I don't think this takes away anyone's right to protest. They can protest on the High Street, they can protest outside Parliament. They simply can't protest right in front of the clinic's front door and harass women accessing perfectly legal services.

I've seen doorstep protests outside Harvey Nicks about selling fur - completely polite, friendly and engaging. I've also seen animal rights protests outside my place of work - far outside as my work is on private property and with a police presence. I don't think saying 'you can be here, not here' is a restriction.

Adding my voice to those who would like you to support this MNHQ.

Interesting discussion on the Today programme on Radio 4 this morning (about 1hr 50 min in if you want to listen to it on BBC Radio catch-up) following the conviction of Bernadette Smythe of "Precious Life" in Ireland for harassing the director of the Marie Stopes clinic in Belfast.

100% support this call. The harassers are not interested in exercising free speech, they are interested in stopping "women killing the children in their wombs" (yes, that is a direct quote from the programme).

Yes, please support this campaign.

(Reiterating that I'd be 100% behind this).

Mobilette - we have a totally different legal system from the US. Their right to free speech is enshrined in the 1st amendment to the constitution. We don't have any such right. I posted some comments upthread about the fact that this wouldn't actually set any kind of legal precedent in this country, given that we already have (overly restrictive IMO) legislation requiring political demonstrations to get prior permission from the police and inform the police of the location of the demonstration.

Yes, We should absolutely get behind this.

Yes

Yes please

I was in London recently when the Occupy Democracy protests were taking place. I saw how heavy handed the Police were to a very small number of peaceful protesters and how they weren't allowed on the grass in Parliament Square (an area which was historically for protests). I've also seen the transcript of the following discussion in the House of Lords.

Politicians don't want protests against them on their doorstep and use any means to get them dissipated so why shouldn't these powers extend to women and pregnancy services.

I'm a Christian and don't agree with abortion but I would still support this motion. Protesting outside these clinics is immoral and devoid of the compassion we should be showing at such a difficult time.