Scotland's historic abortion buffer zones law comes into effect today
Buffer zones around abortion clinics are being enforced in Scotland, starting today. The zones will prevent protests from being staged outside 30 clinics around the country and are a part of stronger safeguards for people accessing these services.
The Safe Access Zones Act, passed by Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) in June, prohibits behaviour that influences or obstructs women and staff's decisions to access abortion services within 200m (656ft) of the clinic. That includes harassment and distressing actions such as holding up signs or approaching and filming, or otherwise causing alarm.
Anyone who breaks the legislation could be fined up to £10,000, or an unlimited amount in more serious cases. Police Scotland will be responsible for enforcing the law. Clinics affected include the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow and the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh.
Green MSP Gillian Mackay, who put forward the bill, said: 'This is a crucial day for reproductive rights and healthcare in Scotland.'
'I hope that it will be the end of the intimidation and harassment we have seen of people who are accessing healthcare. Right from the first moment I saw footage of the protests, I could see how much damage they were doing and how many people were being impacted by them. I knew that I had to do everything I could to stop them.'
The Scottish government supports Mackay, with the women's health minister, Jenni Minto saying: 'The introduction of Safe Access Zones is a crucial milestone in protecting women's abortion rights. The new zones of 200m (656ft) around all abortion services will help ensure women have safe access to healthcare - free from intimidation.'
When will buffer zones come into effect in England and Wales?
Safe access buffer zones will be enforced in England and Wales from 31 October. When this legislation comes in, it will be 'illegal for anyone to do anything that intentionally or recklessly influences someone’s decision to use abortion services, obstructs them, or causes harassment or distress to someone using or working at these premises', according to the law approved by Parliament in May 2023. Those convicted will face an unlimited fine.
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.'
Baroness Merron, Minister for Patient Safety, Women’s Health and Mental Health said: 'No women should feel scared or threatened when accessing [abortion] 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.'
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