Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Abortion Clinics: Protection from Intimidation or Protest

Wednesday 21 October 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Rupa Huq asked the Minister about protecting women attending abortion clinics from intimidation or protest.
  • The Government considers intimidation or harassment towards women seeking healthcare unacceptable.
  • The Home Office is reviewing the issue and consulting with service providers and police.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rupa Huq Lab Ealing Central and Acton
Women & Equalities
Context

Women seeking or staff providing healthcare advice are facing intimidation or harassment at abortion clinics. The situation has led to police time being taken up by 40 Days for Life, an anti-choice group conducting a protest.

Question

What discussions have you had with Cabinet colleagues on protecting women attending abortion clinics from intimidation or protest? France, Australia and Canada have legislation in place, does the Minister plan to follow suit?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

The Government are clear that intimidation or harassment towards women seeking healthcare is unacceptable. The Home Office has been reviewing this issue, consulting with service providers and police to understand experiences of these protests. The impact on women is central to considerations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitments or timelines for new legislation were not provided.

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Q2 Rupa Huq Lab Ealing Central and Acton
Crime & Law Enforcement Women & Equalities
Context

Women seeking or staff providing healthcare advice are facing intimidation or harassment at abortion clinics. The situation has led to police time being taken up by 40 Days for Life, an anti-choice group conducting a protest.

Question

That is a very encouraging reply. Right now, up and down the country, women are being intimidated and police are having their time taken up by 40 Days for Life, an anti-choice group that is running a 40-day protest outside clinics. France, Australia and Canada have legislation on this. I am encouraged by what the Minister says. Will she please follow suit and take heed of the Demonstrations (Abortion Clinics) Bill, which I introduced in June? There is overwhelming support in the House for us to do the same here.

Answer from Victoria Atkins

I have the pleasure of meeting the hon. Lady later today to discuss this topic further. We are applying a meticulous approach to balancing freedom of speech with the impact on women and staff working at clinics. Public spaces protection orders are being implemented in her area, Manchester, and two others.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitments or timelines for new legislation were not provided.

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