From today Safe Access Zones will be in effect around abortion clinics in England & Wales. Thanks to your support - we achieved a historic victory!

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Dear John,

Today, we’re celebrating a monumental victory that would not have been possible without you.

Thanks to years of campaigning and the unyielding support of people like you, Safe Access Zones around abortion clinics have officially come into effect!

From today, individuals seeking abortion care in England and Wales can do so free from intimidation, fear, and harassment.
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** A Hard-Won Battle
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The journey to this historic moment was not easy. The campaign for Safe Access Zones, led by BPAS’s “Back Off” coalition began nearly a decade ago. Despite widespread public support and powerful endorsements from organisations like the Royal College of Midwives, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and many others, the push faced numerous roadblocks. In October 2022, a pivotal vote in the House of Commons saw MPs supporting the legislation 297-110, underscoring a national demand for these protections. Still, implementation faced delays, with the law finally passing in May 2023 but remaining stalled until last month. On 18^th September 2024, the Home Office announced that the law introducing Safe Access Zones around abortion clinics will be brought into force from today - two years after MPs voted to support this legislation.

Over the years, BPAS has documented thousands of harassment cases outside clinics - heartbreaking stories of individuals being harassed and intimidated as they sought safe, legal medical care. Thanks to your voice, and the collective will of MPs across party lines, such harassment will now be a thing of the past.
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** Around the UK
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This movement extends beyond England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland also recently took steps to ensure the safety of those seeking and providing abortion services, with BPAS at the forefront of both campaigns.
Northern Ireland became the first to pass Safe Access Zones legislation in September 2023, establishing 100-meter buffer zones around clinics to protect patients and staff. Scotland joined the movement this October, creating 200-meter zones around abortion service sites, further affirming a UK-wide commitment to safe and private access to care.

Today, we celebrate this success with you—our supporters, advocates, and friends—and look ahead to the next chapter in protecting and advancing reproductive freedom. Let’s keep moving forward together!


** Moving Forward: Advancing Reproductive Rights
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As we celebrate this landmark achievement, our work is far from over. We are now focusing on expanding access to innovative contraception options,
breaking down barriers to affordable, effective contraception, and improving reproductive healthcare access for all.

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** Donate to Help us Keep Fighting for Reproductive Rights
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We rely on the generosity of supporters like you to keep fighting to protect and advance reproductive rights. Without your donations we wouldn't have been able to fight for Safe Access Zones.

If you are able, please consider making a donation to support our cause. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a significant impact.

If a donation is not possible at this time, you can still support us by following and sharing our mission on social media. Your voice and engagement are powerful tools in spreading awareness and driving change.
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Thank you for your ongoing support,

The BPAS Team

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