By Alison Savage.
A bill enforcing a buffer zone around abortion clinics has been introduced to the Victorian Parliament by Sex Party MP Fiona Patten, who says women are being harassed and abused by anti-abortion protesters.
The bill, amending the Health and Wellbeing Act, would make it illegal for protesters to be within 150 metres of fertility and reproductive health clinics, with penalties including fines or imprisonment for repeat offenders.
It is the first private member’s bill to be introduced by the new cross-benchers in Victoria’s Upper House, who share the balance of power with the Greens.
Related: “Why I talk about my abortion.”
Ms Patten said women had experienced disgraceful treatment at the hands of anti-abortion “vigilantes”.
“This weekend they were yelling to people attending a clinic, ‘you are going into a slaughterhouse’,” she said.
“They film and photograph people to try and intimidate them, to try and intrude on their privacy.”
Related: The 9 things gynaecologists really wish their patients wouldn’t do during an appointment.
Anti-abortion groups say any attempt to establish a “buffer zone” around abortion clinics would impede their freedom of speech and freedom to protest.
Ms Patten said she supported their right to protest, but not to harass and intimidate.
“We need to provide some privacy and some safety for people making quite often a very difficult decision,” she said.