Vertical Markets

Abortion clinic protest review

by Mark Rowe

The Home Secretary Amber Rudd has asked for an assessment of protests outside abortion clinics. The Home Office points to harassment and intimidating behaviour from protesters when some women are visiting family planning clinics.

The review will gather evidence from police forces, healthcare providers and local authorities to understand the scale and nature of these protests, before considering what action the government can take;which could include bolstering existing or creating new police and civil powers.

Amber Rudd, pictured, said: “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.”

As the Home Office says, the law already covers harassment and intimidation, and the police have powers to manage protests. The review will see what more needs to be done and Home Office Policing Minister Nick Hurd has written to the National Policing Lead for Protest, Northamptonshire Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Swann to begin this work. The review by Home Office officials, will also consider international comparisons, as Australia, France and the United States has similar protests for similar reasons.

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