On 13th May, we hosted a powerful event exploring the consequences of restricted abortion access. We screened ‘Zurawski v Texas’, a moving documentary about women denied abortions under Texas law who bravely sued the state. Their stories highlighted the devastating impact of abortion bans on health and autonomy.
Dr Bethan Harris from Doctors for Choice shared insights from her work as a GP in abortion care, revealing that abortion remains highly stigmatised and is barely covered in medical training. Our discussion emphasised that attacks on reproductive rights are part of broader threats to human rights and bodily autonomy—including the rights of trans people.
Following the event, UK MPs passed an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill that removes criminal liability for women who self-manage abortions outside the parameters of the 1967 Abortion Act. However, abortion was not fully decriminalised. The 1861 Offences Against the Person Act still criminalises providers, including those who assist others in accessing abortion pills. Concerns remain about the broader implications of the Crime and Policing Bill, which also expands police powers and restricts protest rights.
For a balanced perspective, we recommend reading the Abortion Support Network’s blog: https://www.asn.org.uk/beyond-the-decriminalisation-of-abortion/
