VOLUNTEERS for a women’s rights group have been campaigning for a buffer zone to be placed outside a Bournemouth abortion clinic.
Supporters of the SisterSupporter campaign gathered in the town centre earlier this month to petition for a public space protection order to be introduced around the BPAS Clinic in Bournemouth.
The zone would operate as a deterrent for anti-abortion protestors, who are said to regularly gather outside the clinic on Orphir Road.
Jess, a volunteer for SisterSupporter, said: “Anti-abortion harassment has been going on outside the clinic on almost a daily basis.
“There are groups that stand outside the clinic and do things that make women feel ashamed, guilty, sinful and judged.
"It's really affecting people."
The harassment has included people following and challenging women and staff entering the clinic, putting baby clothes outside the hedges, and misleading leaflets being handed out.
Since 2007, the clinic staff have gathered more than 600 pieces of evidence about such harassment.
Jess added: “They’ve gathered 600 pieces of evidence but that’ll only be the tip of the iceberg, that’s only people who are happy to share their testimonies.”
During Saturday’s rally, volunteers encouraged passing people to sign a petition, which with 2000 signatures, would be flagged to BCP Council.
Jess said: “We’re trying to collect as many signatures as possible. The target is 2,000 but we’d like to get more than that.
“2000 signatures will trigger a debate with the local councillors at their next meeting. We’re hoping that debate will help get this pushed forward.”
One woman to sign the petition was Helena. She said: “They’re trying to take away women’s rights to their own body and their own choices.
“We don’t want to go back in time, we need to go forward. These are basic rights.”
Speaking to the Daily Echo last month, Katherine O’Brien, associate director of communications and campaigns at BPAS, said: “Women in Bournemouth should be able to access a lawful, confidential health service free from intimidation, and our staff should be able to provide this care without facing harassment.
“We urge BCP Council to do the right thing and bring forward a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) as a matter of urgency.”
To sign the petition visit https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=171&RPID=3563002&HPID=3563002
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