The government has passed a law to improve safeguarding for women accessing abortion services. The new law has established safe access buffer zones that prohibit any actions aimed at intentionally influencing patients’ decisions regarding abortion services.
It has banned behaviour that obstructs, harasses, or causes distress to those seeking or providing these services. The restrictions will include a 150 meters radius around abortion service providers. The law came into effect on the 31 October.
Ealing’s role in the push for nationwide protections
This law comes after Ealing Council established the country’s first protection zone around a Marie Stopes clinic in 2018. The campaign was driven by local residents, advocacy groups, and the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS). Together they have highlighted the mental and emotional toll on both patients and healthcare workers. A public space protection order was passed, which gave local police the power to move, or fine anyone who breached it.
Ealing’s public spaces protection order was the first of its kind in the UK.
An Ealing Council spokesperson commented:
The zone was introduced in response to detailed evidence that the activities of protestors outside the clinic meant that women using the clinic, its staff and local residents felt unsafe.
Ealing council went on to state that they ‘will work with colleagues in the Home Office to implement these, ensuring protection continues and women can continue to feel safe accessing services.’
However the introduction of the buffer zones has been opposed by some, who argue that the new law goes against freedom of religion and speech.
Catherine Robinson, a spokesperson for Right To Life UK has said that the introduction of buffer zones will criminalise people trying to offer support outside abortion clinics. The pro-life charity believes that support outside clinics gives women a choice and helps those facing coercion. She believes that the protection zones will result in women getting abortions they did not want. She concluded that ‘the lives of many more babies will be tragically lost to abortion’.
“This is a tragic day for women facing unplanned pregnancies in need of support, and for their unborn babies.”
A step forward for women’s health and rights
Sonia Adesara has been campaigning for over 10 years.
What began as a local measure in Ealing to protect individuals seeking abortion services has now become national policy.
“The Ealing buffer zone showed that safe access to healthcare is both a right and a necessity,” said Ann Furedi, CEO of BPAS.
Safe access zones were established through the Public Order Act 2023, following a parliamentary vote that garnered cross-party support.
The new measure applies to all clinics and private hospitals authorised under the Abortion Act of 1967. It also includes any NHS hospitals that have performed abortions within the current or previous year. It comes after years of campaigning by pro abortion organisations.
“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” -Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips
Dr Sonia Adesara NHS doctor and campaigner, has been campaigning for abortion rights for 10 years. She is also the spokesperson for Doctors for Choice, and one of the executives for Abortion Rights UK. Both organisations, along with others such as BPAS, campaign for improving women’s reproductive rights but also consult with politicians on changes to the law.
Visiting a south London clinic post introduction of the law, what’s changed?
City News visited the MSI Reproductive Clinic in South London, which has often been targeted by pro-life protests. However, on Saturday three days after the law was introduced, there were no protestors present.
We spoke to local residents nearby to hear their thoughts on the protection zones, and how they have changed what goes on at this abortion clinic in Brixton.
A laundrette owner, who’s business is directly opposite the clinic said to City News, that he hasn’t seen protestors in the last three days.
”I don’t see them anymore, the law has changed so they don’t want to come… they are usually here from 8am to 8pm, sometimes 20 of them going up to young girls giving leaflets”.
The protection zones around abortion clinics have now been introduced across England and Wales, with their impact already having a noticeable effect.
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Standfirst
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HeadlineEaling Council paves the way for protection zones around abortion clinics
Short HeadlineProtection zones around abortion clinics introduced
Standfirst150 meters safe access zones are now in force around all abortion clinics in England and Wales.
The government has passed a law to improve safeguarding for women accessing abortion services. The new law has established safe access buffer zones that prohibit any actions aimed at intentionally influencing patients’ decisions regarding abortion services.
It has banned behaviour that obstructs, harasses, or causes distress to those seeking or providing these services. The restrictions will include a 150 meters radius around abortion service providers. The law came into effect on the 31 October.
Ealing’s role in the push for nationwide protections
This law comes after Ealing Council established the country’s first protection zone around a Marie Stopes clinic in 2018. The campaign was driven by local residents, advocacy groups, and the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS). Together they have highlighted the mental and emotional toll on both patients and healthcare workers. A public space protection order was passed, which gave local police the power to move, or fine anyone who breached it.
Ealing’s public spaces protection order was the first of its kind in the UK.
An Ealing Council spokesperson commented:
The zone was introduced in response to detailed evidence that the activities of protestors outside the clinic meant that women using the clinic, its staff and local residents felt unsafe.
Ealing council went on to state that they ‘will work with colleagues in the Home Office to implement these, ensuring protection continues and women can continue to feel safe accessing services.’
However the introduction of the buffer zones has been opposed by some, who argue that the new law goes against freedom of religion and speech.
Catherine Robinson, a spokesperson for Right To Life UK has said that the introduction of buffer zones will criminalise people trying to offer support outside abortion clinics. The pro-life charity believes that support outside clinics gives women a choice and helps those facing coercion. She believes that the protection zones will result in women getting abortions they did not want. She concluded that ‘the lives of many more babies will be tragically lost to abortion’.
“This is a tragic day for women facing unplanned pregnancies in need of support, and for their unborn babies.”
A step forward for women’s health and rights
Sonia Adesara has been campaigning for over 10 years.
What began as a local measure in Ealing to protect individuals seeking abortion services has now become national policy.
“The Ealing buffer zone showed that safe access to healthcare is both a right and a necessity,” said Ann Furedi, CEO of BPAS.
Safe access zones were established through the Public Order Act 2023, following a parliamentary vote that garnered cross-party support.
The new measure applies to all clinics and private hospitals authorised under the Abortion Act of 1967. It also includes any NHS hospitals that have performed abortions within the current or previous year. It comes after years of campaigning by pro abortion organisations.
“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” -Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips
Dr Sonia Adesara NHS doctor and campaigner, has been campaigning for abortion rights for 10 years. She is also the spokesperson for Doctors for Choice, and one of the executives for Abortion Rights UK. Both organisations, along with others such as BPAS, campaign for improving women’s reproductive rights but also consult with politicians on changes to the law.
Visiting a south London clinic post introduction of the law, what’s changed?
City News visited the MSI Reproductive Clinic in South London, which has often been targeted by pro-life protests. However, on Saturday three days after the law was introduced, there were no protestors present.
We spoke to local residents nearby to hear their thoughts on the protection zones, and how they have changed what goes on at this abortion clinic in Brixton.
A laundrette owner, who’s business is directly opposite the clinic said to City News, that he hasn’t seen protestors in the last three days.
”I don’t see them anymore, the law has changed so they don’t want to come… they are usually here from 8am to 8pm, sometimes 20 of them going up to young girls giving leaflets”.
The protection zones around abortion clinics have now been introduced across England and Wales, with their impact already having a noticeable effect.
