Question reference: S6W-03227
- Date lodged: 21 September 2021
-
Current status: Answered by Maree Todd on 29 September 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what mechanisms, other than local authority byelaws, it would consider appropriate to create protest-free buffer zones outside clinics that provide abortion services.
Answer
All women in Scotland should have access to abortion services without feeling harassed or intimidated when accessing these services. Local authorities may wish to consider using their byelaw powers to put in place protest-free buffer zones outside clinics that provide abortion services where the specific circumstances justify imposing those measures. We have made a commitment in our Programme for Government to support any local authority who wishes to use bye-laws in this way.