Buffer zones for abortion protestors are now in place around hospitals and clinics across Greater Glasgow - meaning it is now a criminal offence to stage a protest, hand out leaflets, or approach someone and persuade them not to have an abortion in these areas.
This includes religious preaching and silent vigils within 200 miles of selected premises.
Anyone who breaks the law could be fined up to £10,000, or even be given an unlimited fine depending on the court procedure.
These new rules have come into place after MSPs voted for a Safe Access Zones Bill as proposed by Green MSP Gillian Mackay.
Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health said the new zones surrounding abortion services will ensure women have access to healthcare free from intimidation and will protect many at a time they feel incredibly vulnerable making a deeply personal and difficult decision.
It is illegal to behave in a way that could influence the decision of women and staff to access these services, or otherwise causing alarm or distress.
This includes religious preaching and silent vigils within 200 miles of selected premises.
Anyone who breaks the law could be fined up to £10,000, or even be given an unlimited fine depending on the court procedure.
These new rules have come into place after MSPs voted for a Safe Access Zones Bill as proposed by Green MSP Gillian Mackay.
Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health said the new zones surrounding abortion services will ensure women have access to healthcare free from intimidation and will protect many at a time they feel incredibly vulnerable making a deeply personal and difficult decision.
It is illegal to behave in a way that could influence the decision of women and staff to access these services, or otherwise causing alarm or distress.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Buffer zones for abortion protesters are now in place around hospitals and clinics across
00:04Greater Glasgow, meaning it is now a criminal offence to stage a protest, hand out leaflets
00:09or approach someone and persuade them not to have an abortion in these areas. This includes
00:14religious preaching and silent vigils within 200 miles of selected premises. Anyone who
00:20breaks the law could be fined up to £10,000 or even given an unlimited fine depending
00:25on the court procedure. These new rules have come into place after MSPs voted for a safe
00:30access zones bill, as proposed by Greens MSP Gillian Mackay. Minister for Public Health
00:36and Women's Health said the new zones surrounding abortion services will ensure women have access
00:41to healthcare free from intimidation and will protect many at a time they feel incredibly
00:46vulnerable making a deeply personal and difficult decision. It is illegal to behave in a way
00:51that could influence the decision of women and staff to access these services or otherwise
00:56cause alarm or distress.