Commons Sense

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Abortion Clinics Protection from Intimidation or Protest 2020-10-21

2020-10-21

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Rupa Huq Lab
Ealing Central and Acton
▸ 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.
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?
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.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Specific commitments or timelines for new legislation were not provided.
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Rupa Huq Lab
Ealing Central and Acton
▸ 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.
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.
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.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Specific commitments or timelines for new legislation were not provided.
Response accuracy