The introduction of abortion clinic buffer zones across England and Wales has been branded a “tragic day for ladies”.
The ‘secure access zones’ got here into force outside abortion clinics on Thursday, criminalising prayer and offers of practical support as much as 150m across the facilities.
The buffer zones were introduced through the Public Order Act 2023 after receiving majority support in Parliament.
They make it “illegal for anyone to do anything that intentionally or recklessly influences someone’s decision to make use of abortion services, obstructs them, or causes harassment or distress to someone using or working at these premises”, the Home Office said.
The zones have been introduced despite polling by Savanta shows that only a fifth of the population support them, with support lowest amongst 18 to 13 yr olds at only 15%.
Concerns have been raised that the buffer zones will result in the prosecution of Christians and pro-life campaigners, after army veteran Adam Smith-Connor was convicted of praying silently inside an abortion clinic buffer zone in Bournemouth.
Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson, said: “This is a tragic day for ladies facing unplanned pregnancies in need of support, and for his or her unborn babies.
“Hundreds of ladies have received practical support from pro-life volunteers outside abortion clinics through the years, support that provided an actual alternative to abortion.
“The introduction of buffer zones today will criminalise offers of support outside abortion clinics. This support not only gives women a real selection but additionally helps those that could also be facing coercion.
“Without this, many ladies will undergo abortions they didn’t want and the lives of many more babies will probably be tragically lost to abortion.”
