Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom where abortion remains presumptively unlawful
When Westminster passed the Abortion Act in 1967 the Northern Ireland Parliament chose to retain the laws which protected children before birth. This means that Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom where abortion remains presumptively unlawful. Although the courts recognise a legal defence for a doctor who ends a pregnancy when a woman’s life is in danger, the strength of opposition from the people of Northern Ireland and their elected representatives has prevented any liberalisation of the law. Most recently, in February 2016, the Northern Ireland Assembly rejected an attempt to legalise abortion for children diagnosed with a life-limiting condition or conceived through criminal sexual activity.
Around the world abortion is undergoing a major change.
Abortion pills used in so-called medical abortions have overtaken surgical abortions.
This shift is being driven by ideological goals including, in the proponents’ words, “empowering women” through:
In Britain and Northern Ireland there are two significant campaigns underway to normalise abortion pills and reduce medical supervision:
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SPUC’s campaign against decriminalising abortion
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About SPUC Safe at School
Safe at School is a campaign run by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC). SPUC is committed to protecting families and defending the rights of parents to be the primary educators of their children in matters relating to personal relationships, marriage, family life and the dignity of human life. We defend the family because unborn children are statistically safer from abortion when their mother and father are married. Pro-life values are nurtured first and foremost in the family.
Safe at School gives confidential advice and support to parents who are facing a difficult or challenging situation at their child’s school. Please call Antonia Tully on 020 8407 3463.
SPUC has produced a briefing: download it below!
It is crucial that Welsh people act now to stop women being hurt by home abortions, SPUC CEO John Smeaton has said.
Welsh Health Secretary Vaughan Gething stated that the abortion pill should be authorised for home use. Mr Gething told Assembly Members: "I have instructed officials to start work immediately on how we can amend the legal framework to allow for the treatment of the termination of pregnancy to be carried out at home."
He added: "My officials will now work with stakeholders to develop a fully-costed and timetabled implementation plan."