Isle of Man legislators expected to legalise abortions

THE ISLE of Man is on the brink of decriminalising abortion for women who for hundreds of years have undergone risky backstreet procedures or been forced to leave the island for treatment.

The Abortion Reform Bill consultation received the highest number of responses ever on the island, where abortion is legal in only very limited circumstances.

It attracted 3,600 submissions, including from a woman who filled out the form on behalf of her grandmother, who died after a botched back-street abortion.

Its aim is to take abortion “out of the realm of the criminal justice system” and make it available “on request” to women in a broad range of circumstances, according to Alex Allinson, who is spearheading the reform.

The former GP said he had tears in his eyes reading some of the responses and the move would free midwives from “constantly having to look over their shoulder”.

The legislation will allow abortion up to 14 weeks on request, up to 24 weeks in cases of foetal anomaly or serious social reasons, and after 24 weeks in rare circumstances where the life of the mother or baby is at risk.

The Manx law would be more progressive than in England and Wales where abortion has not been decriminalised entirely.

The Bill is due for its third reading in Tynwald, the island’s parliament, tomorrow. If approved, it will go to the Queen for Royal Assent before coming into law later this year.

One woman who was forced to leave the island for an abortion after being brutally beaten by her ex-partner said it would be “an incredibly positive day for the Isle of Man and local women”.

Fewer than 10 abortions are carried out on the island each year, and about 100 women travel to the UK for private abortions annually.