95bFM Safe areas around abortion clinics ‘fundamental’ for staff and patient safety, says advocate
3 August, 2023
Interview by Rosetta Stone, adapted by David Liwei Shi
Abortion Law Reform Association New Zealand president, Ella Shepard, says all abortion providers should have protected zones surrounding their facilities to protect staff and patients from anti-abortion harassment.
Last year, the government passed the Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion (safe areas) Amendment Bill, making it illegal to intimidate or obstruct someone trying to receive or provide abortions.
Safe areas have now been implemented outside six abortion clinics across Aotearoa to protect staff and patients from anti-abortion harassment.
The safe areas extend to 150 metres outside of abortion clinics and restrict activities like recording people entering and exiting facilities, distribution of materials, and harassment of people accessing abortion care.
Abortion Law Reform Association New Zealand president, Ella Shepard, told 95bFM’s The Wire that accessible, safe, and legal abortions are “fundamental,” and that protected areas facilitate increased access to safer abortion care.
Currently, there are two approved safe areas in Auckland, and one each in Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Greymouth.
In 2020, abortion was decriminalised in Aotearoa after it was removed from the Crimes Act 1961. But introducing safe areas were not included in this reform.
“Since the law reform in 2020, safe areas have been a thing we have been pushing for, because they were missed in the reform.”
The Safe Areas Amendment Bill was eventually passed in 2022, but Shepard stated that it has been an “arduous” process to get all abortion providers protected areas around their clinics.
“The Government has the power to do safe areas around clinics, or is it all talk and no action?”
Shepard said applications for protected zones have to be government-reviewed and approved, with this first round of successful applications not rolling out until 18 months after the passing of the bill.
“We are hoping the process could be refined and expedited, so that the next few rounds [of applications] could be much quicker.”
With the overturning of Roe v Wade in the US, Shepard said it is unlikely Aotearoa will see a similar predicament.
“It’s less the American-style of just repealing abortion laws and criminalising it again, and more about the chipping away and eroding access, by continuously under-investing in abortion care services.”
But access to abortion care varies across the country, especially for clinics in the South Island.
Shepard said the Covid-19 pandemic made online consultations more common, which have allowed people in remote parts of the country access support.
“The great thing with Covid, is the introduction of ‘tele-health’ abortions. So people don’t actually have to travel three [different] times to a clinic.”
Shepard said tele-health appointments also reduce costs, such as childcare, travel, and taking time off work, which would otherwise make abortion healthcare inaccessible to some.
“We’re hoping the next government — whether it's the current government or another government by another party, will stay committed to ensure investment in those opportunities that reduce barriers.”
Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ on Air
