Time for SA Parliament to end harassment at the doors of abortion clinics

The safety and dignity of women seeking reproductive health services is a step closer to being protected in South Australia.

The Health Care (Safe Access) Amendment Bill was introduced into South Australian Parliament today by Nat Cook MP. The proposed laws would end the harassment of women at the doors of abortion clinics by creating safe access zones.

Adrianne Walters, Acting Legal Director at the Human Rights Law Centre, welcomed the proposed law as a critical step to safeguarding South Australian women’s health and equality.

“For far too long, women in South Australia have had to navigate the abuse of strangers just to see their doctor. The distress, fear and anxiety caused to patients and staff is unacceptable. Safe access zones around abortion clinics work to protect women’s safety and privacy from anti-abortion activists where other laws have failed.”

“We urge all South Australian MPs to demonstrate their commitment to women’s reproductive health and freedom by voting in support of the bill,” said Walters.

The proposed law would create protective zones around abortion services, prohibiting harassment, intimidation, filming and other distressing conduct targeting patients and staff. Safe access zone laws have been upheld by the High Court of Australia and enacted in every state and territory except South Australia and Western Australia.

"No person should have to run a gauntlet of abuse to see their doctor. The High Court has made it clear that safe access zones have an important role to play in protecting a woman’s right to access healthcare safely," said Walters. 

Abortion still remains regulated in South Australia by criminal laws written 51 years ago. The laws make it much harder for women in regional and remote areas to access the care they need, particularly early medication abortion. 

“The values and technology of 1969 should not limit a woman’s right to access the healthcare she needs in 2020. Safe access zones are an important step. It’s now time for the SA Government to finally decriminalise abortion and respect the right of every woman to control their body.”

*While referring to women in this media release, we emphasise that trans-men and gender diverse people experience pregnancy and must be guaranteed safe access to abortion services.

Media contact:

Michelle Bennett, Communications Director: 0419 100 519