Medical leaders urge immediate changes to abortion laws amid rising prosecutions
London: Medical leaders are sounding the alarm over a shocking rise in abortion prosecutions in England and Wales. They’re pushing for a change in the law after seeing more women facing legal action for ending their pregnancies.
Over 30 medical groups, including the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, have come together to voice their concerns. They argue that the current laws are causing unnecessary trauma and demand immediate action to protect reproductive rights.
This push for reform comes after several women were prosecuted under an old law from the 1860s. In the last two years alone, six women have faced court for illegal abortions, a stark contrast to the few cases seen in the past. The law states that having an abortion after 24 weeks or without two doctors’ approval can lead to severe penalties, including life imprisonment.
The medical groups, representing around 800,000 healthcare professionals, believe that abortion should be treated as a healthcare issue rather than a criminal one. They’re calling for a stop to these prosecutions and want the law updated to reflect modern healthcare standards.
With support from legal experts and charities, they suggest that changes could be made to an upcoming crime and policing bill. They want to ensure that women in England and Wales have the same protections as those in Northern Ireland, where the laws are more lenient.
As abortion access faces challenges in other countries, like the US, this call for reform is gaining urgency. There have been attempts in the past to restrict abortion access in the UK, and some politicians are still pushing for changes to the legal limit on abortions.
Prominent Labour MPs have shown their support for modernizing abortion laws, but there’s some hesitation among party members. They worry that changes could empower anti-abortion activists and affect telemedicine services.
Dr. Ranee Thakar from the RCOG emphasized that most people agree it’s not right to prosecute women for ending their pregnancies. She stated that no woman should face the threat of jail for making such a personal decision.
Dr. Andrew Green from the British Medical Association echoed these sentiments, saying that criminalizing abortion care is outdated and can deter women from seeking necessary healthcare.
Campaigners argue that the proposed changes wouldn’t deregulate abortion but would align the law with countries where it’s decriminalized. They want to ensure that women aren’t prosecuted for making choices about their own bodies.
While abortion is generally accessible, it remains a criminal offense in England and Wales under the 1861 law. The 1967 Abortion Act allows for abortions under certain conditions, but the old law still looms over women seeking care.
Recent investigations have revealed that police have looked into numerous cases of suspected illegal abortions, including women who bought pills online. In one troubling case, a 15-year-old girl faced a year-long investigation after a stillbirth, which was ultimately deemed natural causes.
In another instance, a woman was hospitalized after taking abortion pills not prescribed by a doctor. The law is still very much in play, and while prosecutions are rare, they do happen.
Some recent cases have led to women facing serious legal consequences, including community orders and jail time. The reasons for the rise in prosecutions aren’t entirely clear, but experts suggest that increased awareness of medical abortions may have led to more scrutiny from healthcare professionals.
Investigations can have a lasting impact on women and their families, even if charges aren’t filed. Many women have had their lives turned upside down by these inquiries, with some facing long-term mental health issues.
The government hasn’t commented on the calls for reform, stating that any changes to the law would be a matter of conscience for parliament members. Meanwhile, Labour MP Stella Creasy highlights the ongoing struggles women face, often receiving visits from police instead of support when they need it most.
Dr. Janet Barter from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health believes it’s high time for a change in legislation to reflect the needs of women today.
