Harassment outside of abortion clinics from pro-life groups is becoming increasingly evident in and around the United Kingdom. In Bournemouth patients and staff face abuse outside of abortion clinics, with protestors following people to their cars and leaving baby clothing and products in bushes to attempt to sway people away from the idea of terminating a pregnancy. Campaigns like ‘Sister Support’ are on the frontline of trying to stop these attacks. Pro-choice movements have campaigned for buffer zones nationwide to put an end to abuse outside of abortion clinics.
The implementation of buffer zones in Bournemouth
MPs have been voting on the implementation of national buffer zone legislation in and around abortion clinics in the UK. This legislation follows from the likes of countries like Australia.
This month, from the 13th of October, Bournemouth has been approved for a buffer zone around the BPAS (British pregnancy advisory service) centre on Ophir road. This clinic provides reproductive healthcare for over 100,000 women on a yearly basis. These buffer zones include a public space protection order (PSPO), active Monday-Friday, 7 am-7 pm. The mobilisation of pro-life groups in the UK
Since the overturning of Roe vs Wade in the USA, anti-abortion protests have amplified internationally. This is not just an American problem, in the UK we have seen an increase in harassment outside of abortion clinics by religious and pro-life groups expedited by global campaigns like ’40 Days for Life’. Women seeking an abortion, and staff who are administrating them, are the targets of these campaigns nationwide.
From their website, 40 Days for Life is “an internationally coordinated 40-day campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion businesses.”
What is prohibited by buffer zones?
Protesting, holding vigils, interfering with patients and staff, and displaying signs. Failure to adhere to this buffer zone can result in being moved on by the police and repeat offences can be punishable by law.
Thus, campaigns like 40 Days for Life can no longer hold demonstrations in the direct area of clinics.
What does the British public think?
In the UK a high percentage of people support women’s rights to abortion, from a YouGov poll, 86% of people believe women should have the right to an abortion, 6% of people believe women should not have the right to abortion, and the final 6% of people do not know. Surprisingly, the older generation is more in favour of abortion than the younger generation, with 90% of 65+ and 77% of 18-24-year-olds voting in favour of abortion.
Three Bournemouth University students were asked to comment on the implementation of national buffer zones in and around the UK, and whether anti-abortion campaigners should be allowed to protest outside of clinics. Their names have been removed to protect their anonymity.
One student responded, “no, campaigners should not be allowed to protest outside of clinics because it goes against confidentiality, and patients’ privacy and dignity must be protected. Also, that abortion is a question of one’s bodily autonomy, and has nothing to do with anyone else.”
Another student expressed a different opinion, saying that “in the UK we are by law, entitled to free speech, the right to express our own opinions, if protestors are not causing any physical harm, then they should be allowed to protest.”
Do buffer zones hinder our freedom of speech?
The Human rights act 1998, article 10 states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. This Article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises” it also states that “The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary”.
Exercising the right to healthcare advice and treatment for abortions is a legal right in the UK, and while everybody has a right to protest peacefully, intimidation and harassment are unwelcome by the British public and legislation. Women should not be pushed by threatening protestors when making personal decisions.
What support is on offer and what can you do to help?
If you or anyone you know are experiencing harassment around abortion clinics in the UK, you can contact the Sister Support helpline at 07306358427. For more information, you can visit the BPAS website at: https://www.bpas.org/
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