Abortion laws ‘fail to meet needs of women’

Women housebound by severe pregnancy sickness and those not allowed to leave home without a chaperone are forced to turn to illegal abortions, according to a report that found the vast majority of people in the UK do not support criminal punishment for abortion.

Two British women a day, from those unable to leave their house to women with childcare problems for seriously ill children, contact one digital provider to request abortion pills because they cannot access legal services .

Although there have not been any criminal convictions for women who take abortion pills – outside of Northern Ireland where the law still bans abortions almost entirely – people who do so are still putting themselves at risk or breaking the law.

Unlike other clinical procedures, women must obtain legal authorisation from two doctors before being allowed to end a pregnancy.

The operation can only be performed in specific Government approved clinics or hospitals. Any abortion outside of this remains a criminal offence for the woman, including when a woman uses abortion medication online.

However, 65 per cent of British people polled said they do not believe a woman should face prison for having an abortionwithoutthepermissionof a doctor.

While for most women abortion services are relatively accessible, some find attending a specific clinic or hospital for treatment can be extremely difficult and are increasingly turning to online sources, potentially risking criminalisation.

Clare Murphy, director of external affairs at reproductive services charity BPAS, said: “No woman should face prison for needing to end her own pregnancy and we are pleased, though unsurprised, to see the British public agree with us. The decriminalisation of abortion does not mean deregulation, but it would mean women could seek help and support closer to home. We need to get rid of these offensive laws that have no place in a world which respects women and their ability to make their own decisions for themselves and their families in pregnancy.”

Dr Kate Guthrie, from Women on Web, said: “It’s very clear from the despairing emails we receive that the current legal framework around abortion in the UK simply does not meet the needs of many ordinary women trying to do their best for their families and themselves.”