Alliance for Choice welcome the passing of the Safe Access Zones Bill through the consideration stage in the NI Assembly on Wednesday 2 March.

The Bill, introduced by Green Party leader Claire Bailey, would require the Department of Health to create buffer zones for premises providing abortion services in which protesters would be prohibited from intimidating, harassing or otherwise impeding safe access for women and pregnant people seeking abortion services, as well as staff providing those services.

Alliance for Choice Co-convenor Naomi Conner said,
”We have long called for such protections, as we have experienced first hand the harms caused by harassment by protesters outside healthcare clinics. Safe access to abortion services, without fear of harassment, is crucial in combating the stigma and shame wielded by those who want to control women and pregnant people in Northern Ireland.”

Alliance for Choice urge politicians to support this legislation when it returns for further debate in the Assembly on 14 March.

Further information:
Overview 1.—(1) This Act requires the Department of Health to establish safe access zones for premises providing abortion services.

(2) Acts within a safe access zone which may have the effect of preventing or impeding access to the premises, or influencing, harassing, alarming or distressing persons accessing the premises, are criminalised.

Premises where abortion treatments are carried out 2. In this Act, premises are protected premises if they are premises where provision is made, or proposed to be made, for treatment for the termination of pregnancy to be lawfully carried out. (note lawfully!)

Premises where information, advice or counselling about abortion treatments are provided: this includes
1) any DoH approved service
2) abortion advice/counselling provided
3) any other after designation

More information on the bill at the links below

http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-business/legislation/2017-2022-mandate/non-executive-bill-proposals/abortion-services-safe-access-zones-bill/bill---as-introduced/

http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets/documents/legislation/bills/non-executive-bills/session-2017-2022/abortion-services-safe-access-zones-bill/ml1---abortion-services-bill.pdf