Buffer zones outside abortion clinics in England and Wales are set to be implemented at the end of October, more than a year after MPs voted to introduce legislation to protect women from harassment outside clinics. The delays in implementing the buffer zones under the previous Conservative government were due to discussions around the issue of silent prayer.
Campaigners supporting the safe access zones expressed concerns that allowing silent prayer could dilute the effectiveness of the law, while anti-abortion groups argued that banning silent prayer would infringe on their rights to freedom of expression and religious beliefs. The new law, part of the Public Order Act that received royal assent on May 2, 2023, prohibits protests within 150 meters of clinics or hospitals providing abortion services in England and Wales.
The Home Office has confirmed that these buffer zones will come into effect from October 31. The law will make it illegal for individuals to intentionally or recklessly influence someone’s decision to use abortion services, cause harassment or distress to those using or working at such premises, or obstruct access to these services. Silent prayer may also fall under these prohibitions.
Guidance to ensure clarity and consistency in the enforcement of the new law will be issued by the College of Policing and the Crown Prosecution Service in the coming weeks. The maximum penalty for anyone convicted under this legislation is an unlimited fine.
Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips emphasized the importance of ensuring the right to access abortion services without facing harassment, abuse, or intimidation. Women’s health minister Baroness Merron reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting women accessing abortion services from abuse and harassment.
Organizations supporting women’s healthcare, such as the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (Bpas) and MSI Reproductive Choices, have welcomed the introduction of buffer zones, highlighting the importance of safeguarding women and healthcare workers. However, spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson, raised concerns that the zones may impact the practical support provided by volunteers outside abortion clinics.
Similar legislation creating buffer zones around abortion clinics is also set to come into effect in Scotland, while safe access zones at health service locations offering abortion and birth control services have been in place in Northern Ireland since September 2023.