Harassment and intimidation near abortion clinics

The Committee held an evidence session on harassment and intimidation near abortion clinics. The issues addressed in the session included: the nature and scale of protests outside abortion clinics and their impact on patients, staff and the local areas; and whether existing measures, such as Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), are appropriate to deal with protests of this kind or whether further legislative measures may be necessary. The Home Office also announced its own review on this topic. The session did not examine wider issues relating to abortion policy.