The Abortion Services Bill recently passed through the Scottish Parliament, aiming to ensure that there are safe access zones to all abortion clinics all across Scotland.
Protected zones have come into force around facilities to limit any harassment that women may receive from trying to access abortion services.
The Scottish Parliament will be liaising with the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee to try to progress to stage two of passing the bill, with the need for amendments as well.
This bill has been a response to the range of anti-abortion protests that are occurring throughout Scotland where prayer vigils are held annually by the American anti-abortion organisation, 40 Days for Life.
According to their website, this organisation has the aim to ‘end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all day vigil in front of abortion businesses’.
The buffer zones that will be coming into force outside abortion clinics have been seen with a set of widespread praise as a result of a few incidences of protest towards those who have tried to seek abortion services. A 17 year old girl being called a ‘teenage murderer’ by the 40 Days for Life organisation outside the Chalmers Centre.
This bill was introduced by MSP Gillian Mackay and has passed through Scottish Parliament whereby it is now an act. It allows for a 150 metre safe access zone to abortion clinics where those who break this law would face fines as section four of this bill makes it a criminal offence to behave in certain ways in a safe access zone.
Image via Lucy Frewin