Women’s Bodies Controlled by "Victorian Era" Laws

Women’s bodies are still controlled by laws from the "Victorian era", according to a mother who has spoken out after police published new guidelines that enable officials to search grieving women for abortion drugs.

New Guidelines Enable Searches

The guidelines describe a terribly distressing experience for mothers who have lost a baby. This means that mothers can have their cell phones searched when a baby dies unexpectedly in the womb. The national police chiefs’ council (NPCC) said that such cases were rarely investigated and only if there was a suspicion that an illegal abortion had taken place, with each case treated with "sensitivity".

Impact on Grieving Mothers

A mother who lost her son at 37 and a half weeks into her pregnancy said that if the police had examined her while she was still grieving, it could have been "the end of" her. She added that the fact that this is possible is "terrible" and questioned why laws from the Victorian era still control women’s bodies in 2025.

Trauma of Losing a Baby

Another mother who lost her baby due to complications during pregnancy in 2000 said that she was disappointed with the police guidelines. She stated that the last thing a grieving mother needs is for the police to go through her phones and computers. Since losing her baby, she has been working with a charity that supports bereaved parents.

Concerns from Medical Professionals

The president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said that she was "very alarmed" by the NPCC’s instructions, adding that women have the right to compassion, dignity, and privacy in such circumstances. A pregnancy counseling service also expressed shock at the guidelines, stating that they enable the police to "use women’s periods and medical records against them".

Response from Authorities

The NPCC emphasized that legislation across Great Britain is complex and different, and that investigations would only take place in cases where there was a suspicion of a crime. They added that police officers are encouraged to prioritize the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of the mother over the need for an investigation. The four police forces in Wales were asked for comments on the application of legislation in their areas.

Statistics on Illegal Abortions

Six women in Great Britain have been taken to court in the past two years for ending their own pregnancies, according to the British Medical Journal. Previously, since the law was introduced in 1861, only three convictions had been reported for illegal abortion. A charity that supports bereaved parents said that the trauma of baby loss can last a lifetime and that no parent should ever be afraid to access the care they need.