Abortion Law Reform
MPs have voted to change the legislation for abortion in order to prevent women in England and Wales from being pursued by criminal law. The current law states that abortion is illegal, but it is allowed up to the first 24 weeks of pregnancy and beyond, under certain circumstances, such as when the life of the woman is in danger.
Decriminalization of Late-Term Abortions
The Labor MP led the call to decriminalize the 1% of abortions that occur after 24 weeks, describing the women who undergo these procedures as "desperate women" who need "compassion not criminalization". The change in the law will remove the threat of investigations, arrest, prosecution, or imprisonment for late-term abortions.
Support for the Change
The plan was supported by a large majority of 242 votes, with MPs allowed to vote according to their personal beliefs. Almost 99% of abortions occur before 20 weeks of pregnancy, and only 1% of women are left in "desperate circumstances". The change in the law is intended to provide care and support to these women, rather than criminalizing them.
Cases of Women Being Prosecuted
There have been cases of women being arrested and prosecuted for illegal abortion offenses. The MP emphasized the need to support the change in the law, citing the fact that these women need care and support, not criminalization. The law has been criticized for being outdated and increasingly used against women and girls in need of protection.
Records of Abortions and Prosecutions
Records show that at least 100 women have been investigated for abortion in the past five years, and six have been taken to court. Only three women were convicted of illegal abortion between 1861 and November 2022, when the law was changed to allow women to take abortion pills at home if they were less than 10 weeks pregnant.
Reaction to the Vote
The decision has been welcomed by activists, who have been pushing for a change in the law since 2016. However, the company for the protection of unborn children has expressed horror at the vote, stating that it would allow women to have abortions at any time during pregnancy without committing a crime.
Next Steps
The measures to decriminalize abortion must now go through the legislative journey through the commons and the Lords before they can become law. The change in the law has been supported by all major abortion providers, as well as 180 MPs from across the commons and 50 organizations, including the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
