Protection zones around abortion clinics in England and Wales will be in force from the end of October to bring in stronger safeguards, the Government has announced.
It has been more than a year since MPs voted to bring in legislation seeking to ensure women do not face harassment outside clinics. A free vote that received cross-party support allowed Safe Access Zones to be introduced through the Public Order Act 2023.
Delays on implementation under the previous Conservative government centred around the issue of silent prayer.
Campaigners supporting the safe access zones had raised concerns that the law would be watered down in practice if silent prayer was not also banned, while anti-abortion groups argued that a ban would threaten their rights to freedom of expression and religious belief.
Safe access buffer zones will now make it illegal for anyone to intentionally influence someone’s decision to use abortion services or obstruct them. A breach of the new law will result in an “unlimited fine”, it has been said.
The law is to come in to effect from October 31, the Home Office has said, and will apply within a 150-metre radius of the abortion service provider.
Guidance will be published by the College of Policing and Crown Prosecution Service for police and prosecutors ahead of time to “ensure there is clarity and consistency with the enforcement of the new offence.”
Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips said: “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.
“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.
“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.”
It is intended the relevant zones be located on or next to a public highway or road, in an open space to which the public has access, or within the area of land attached to an abortion clinic. Alternatively, it would need to be in a location that is visible from any of those areas.
This is to follow the introduction of buffer zones around abortion clinics in Scotland coming into force on September 24, banning any protests or vigils.
In Northern Ireland, safe access zones at health service offering abortion and birth control services came into effect in September 2023.
Baroness Merron, Minister for Patient Safety, Women’s Health and Mental Health said: “The safety and wellbeing of women accessing abortion services remains our priority. No women should feel scared or threatened when accessing these services, and it is only right they are protected from any abuse or harassment.
“This government will continue to work closely with NHS England, abortion providers and the wider sector to ensure that women have access to safe, high quality abortion services.”
Louise McCudden, from MSI Reproductive Choices, said the new zones will protect women and frontline healthcare workers, adding: “Whatever your personal views are on abortion, nobody should be harassed while accessing healthcare.”
But 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”.
