An 'in-depth assessment' of protests outside abortion clinics in the UK was announced by Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, yesterday following recent concerns about the tactics of some protesters and pressure from MPs to ban prayer vigils outside clinics.
The announcement of the review comes after reports that some women have been subjected to harassment and intimidating behaviour from protesters when visiting abortion clinics.
London's Ealing council last month voted overwhelmingly in favour of banning protest groups from harassing women outside the Marie Stopes clinic in the borough, and Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) were suggested as a means of preventing intimidating anti-abortion activity.
Also last month, a total of 113 MPs, including the opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, signed a letter urging Rudd to ban prayer vigils outside abortion clinics.
The letter, signed by the Labour leader and Vince Cable, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, was sent to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Abortion Act, which introduced legal abortion into Britain.
It was written by Rupa Huq, the Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton. It accused pro-life campaigners of harassing women outside the clinics – an accusation strongly denied by the Good Counsel Network, which organises the vigils.
The Home Office said that its review will gather evidence from police forces, healthcare providers and local authorities to understand the scale and nature of these protests, before considering what further action the government can take to protect those using or working in abortion clinics. 'This could include bolstering existing or creating new police and civil powers,' the Home Office said.
Rudd added: 'While everyone has a right to peaceful protest, it is completely unacceptable that anyone should feel harassed or intimidated simply for exercising their legal right to healthcare advice and treatment. The decision to have an abortion is already an incredibly personal one, without women being further pressured by aggressive protesters.
'Let me be clear, this review is about ensuring the police, healthcare providers and local authorities have the right powers to protect women making these tough decisions. But this isn't to kick the issue into the long grass. The review will collect the detailed evidence and firm recommendations that allow us to take the right action to tackle this problem.
'The law already provides protection against harassment and intimidation, and the police have a range of powers to manage protests. Like all members of the public, protesters are subject to the law and all suspected criminal offences will be robustly investigated and dealt with by the police.
'But the review will see what more needs to be done and the Policing Minister Nick Hurd has written to the National Policing Lead for Protest, Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Swann to begin this work.
'The review, to be conducted by Home Office officials, will also consider international comparisons, as similar protests have taken place in Australia, France and the United States.'
Some countries already have 'buffer zones' in place – areas ranging from 15 to 500 feet outside abortion clinics in which anti-abortion activities are strictly prohibited. Buffer zones currently exist in Canada and some parts of the US and Australia.
