Women a step closer to safe access to abortion in WA
The safety and dignity of women seeking reproductive health services is a step closer to being protected in Western Australia, with the Government today committing to introduce laws to end the harassment of women at the doors of abortion clinics.
Adrianne Walters, a Senior Lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre, congratulated the McGowan Government for its commitment to women’s health and equality.
“It’s great to see the McGowan Government taking this positive step to promote equality and safe access to healthcare for WA women,” said Walters.
“For far too long, women in WA have had to run a gauntlet of intimidation and abuse just to see their doctor. Safe zones around abortion clinics work to protect women’s safety and privacy where other laws have failed. They will ensure women are no longer intimidated by strangers while trying to walk into their doctor’s front door.”
Safe access zones create protective zones around abortion services, ensuring that patients cannot be harassed, obstructed or filmed as they enter or leave a service. Safe access zone laws have been enacted in every state and territory except South Australia and Western Australia.
A report by the Department of Health released today recommends that WA model its safe access zone laws on Victoria’s laws. Last year, the High Court upheld Victoria’s safe access zone laws.
“The High Court has given Victoria’s safe access zones the constitutional tick of approval. We urge the McGowan Government to heed the recommendations of the Department of Health’s report in drafting WA’s safe access zone laws,” said Walters.
Until legislation passes Parliament, patients and staff will have to endure intimidation and harassment outside abortion clinics. Of particular concern is the lead up to Easter, which has in the past, been accompanied by a 40-day anti-abortion ‘vigil’. In past years, these ‘vigils’ have seen staff followed and called ‘murderers’ and patients have been obstructed and had rosary beads, baby booties and medically misleading leaflets forced onto them.
“The activities of anti-abortion activists outside clinics will continue to cause serious distress, fear and anxiety to patients and staff until safe access zones are in place. The McGowan Government must ensure that legislation is introduced into Parliament as soon as possible," said Walters.
Walters noted that abortion remains criminalised in Western Australia in some circumstances and is forcing some women in distressing situations to fly interstate to access healthcare.
“Until the McGowan Government removes abortion from the criminal law, women’s reproductive health will continue to be compromised. The Government must move to decriminalise abortion entirely and remove all barriers to timely reproductive healthcare”, said Walters.
Media contact:
Michelle Bennett, Human Rights Law Centre: 0419 100 519