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SWRC Statement on the Response to Scottish Government's Consultation on Proposed Abortion Services Safe Access Zones (Scotland) Bill

The Scottish Women’s Rights Centre offers legal and advocacy services to women survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), including sexual violence, physical abuse, coercive control and economic abuse.

We know that barriers to accessing healthcare facilities could have a detrimental and disproportionate impact on survivors of GBV placing them at an even greater disadvantage.

Abortion care in Scotland is legal. However, accessibility remains a key issue. Women should be able to access these vital healthcare treatments without fear of intimidation or harassment.

Limiting access to abortion services could generate further barriers for survivors. According to the latest healthcare providers reports, anti-abortion protests outside clinics could have a clinical, emotional and psychological impact. Not only on individuals accessing abortion services and other services in the same health care settings, such as sexual health services, but also on staff who might experience harassment and intimidation.

We believe that this legislation, if introduced, could improve safe access to healthcare services including abortion services for women and pregnant people.