Safe zones outside abortion clinics to come into effect in England and Wales

17 September 2024, 22:24 | Updated: 18 September 2024, 01:53

Safe access zones outside abortion clinics in England and Wales will come into force at the end of October. 

As part of the Public Order Act, protests within 150 meters of clinics or hospitals providing abortion services in the two nations will be prohibited, with the aim of ensuring women do not face harassment outside clinics.

The law - which received royal assent in May last year - will make it illegal for a person to do anything deemed to intentionally or recklessly influence someone's decision to use abortion services, obstructs them, or causes harassment or distress to someone using or working at such premises.

The zones will come into force on 31 October, according to the Home Office - more than a year since politicians voted to bring in legislation of this type.

It is understood silent prayer could also come within the scope of the law, a move that anti-abortion groups have argued against, saying doing so would threaten their rights to freedom of expression and religious belief.

Under draft guidance on the law from the previous Conservative government, it appeared that silent prayer would still be allowed within the zones.

But campaigners, like Heidi Stewart chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, said silent prayer needs to be included in the ban "for the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of women accessing healthcare".

Guidance detailing what exactly is covered will be published in the coming weeks by the College of Policing and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to "ensure there is clarity and consistency with the enforcement of the new offence", the Home Office said.

The maximum penalty for anyone convicted is an unlimited fine.

"The right to access abortion services is a fundamental right for women in this country, and no-one should feel unsafe when they seek to access this," safeguarding minister Jess Phillips said.

"We will not sit back and tolerate harassment, abuse and intimidation as people exercise their legal right to healthcare, which is why we have fast-tracked this measure to get it up and running without further delay.

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"For too long abortion clinics have been without these vital protections, and this government is determined to do all we can do to make this country a safer place for women."

Catherine Robinson, spokesperson for Right To Life UK, said the zones will mean "vital practical support provided by volunteers outside abortion clinics, which helps to provide a genuine choice, and offers help to women who may be undergoing coercion, will be removed".

Legislation creating safe access zones around abortion clinics in Scotland, banning any protests or vigils there, is due to come into force on 24 September.

In Northern Ireland, safe access zones at health service locations which offer abortion and birth control services came into effect last year.

(c) Sky News 2024: Safe zones outside abortion clinics to come into effect in England and Wales