top of page

Let's Talk About Sexual & Reproductive Health BLOG

Safe Spaces in NSW & what that means for abortion clinics

  • Writer: Clinic 66
    Clinic 66
  • Apr 30, 2019
  • 2 min read

Are Safe Spaces New?


While the implementation of safe spaces in NSW is new, it is actually not a new concept in Australia at all. Four other states and territories have similar laws in place to protect those who might seek to enter an abortion clinic from unwanted harassment or attention.


Victoria, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory have similar laws in place.


Why are Safe Spaces Needed? 


Abortion has always been a highly emotional social issue. Those against it have sought to protest against the practice of offering abortions to pregnant women in the media and in the political realm. However, in some cases, protests have also taken place at the locations where abortion services are offered by doctors.


These protestors are sometimes also called “footpath counsellors” as some attempt to speak with those seeking to enter clinics to deter them from choosing an abortion in favour of other courses of action.


In other cases, protesters have been known to be more aggressive, with verbal abuse, threats and graphic posters and displays set up near abortion clinics to create a hostile atmosphere and deter people from approaching the area or entering.


In the past, there was no specific provision of the law to deal with these protesters, beyond the general “move on” powers that police have to require persons to leave an area if a complaint is made against them.


What’s the Change? 


Now, safe access zones in NSW have been created to impose an area of 150 metres around clinics that offer abortion services. The law now expressly prohibits “interfering” with any person who is attempting to enter or leave a clinic if they are within this safe area.


“Interfering” as defined in the law includes physical harassment, verbal harassment as well as filming a person without their consent as they enter or leave the clinic. In addition, the law makes it an offence to communicate with persons in these safe zones in a way that is likely to cause a person distress or anxiety – which is targeted at the use of graphic displays or images in the area around a clinic.


The penalties for breaching these rules are harsh. A fine of $5,000 and six months of imprisonment is the maximum penalty for a first offence. Any further offences result in the doubling of the penalty to $10,000 and a potential 12 months’ jail time.


What it Means in Practice


In practice, the law change means that a person seeking to enter a clinic that offers abortion services should now be able to do so without harassment. If a person is dropped off near the entrance of a clinic or is able to park or disembark from transport within 150 metres of the entrance, they are within the safe access zone created by the law, and should be able to enter without interference or unwanted attention.

Comentários


Contact Us

Thank you for your message. We will reply asap if needed.

We'd love to share our sexual health knowledge with you!

Knowledge is power! Learn more about caring for your sexual and reproductive health by subscribing to our email updates. We'll only ever send you practical and valuable info. That's a promise!  Read our privacy policy >>

Note: The information provided in this service is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient/health professional relationships

CONTACT DETAILS

31 Bertram St, Chatswood NSW 2067

info@clinic66.com.au

02 9411 3411

If you call us out of normal business hours, your call will be answered by our after-hours on-call doctor service, who will attend to and triage your call. If appropriate, a doctors home visit may be offered. 

 

In the event of an emergency, the closest emergency department is Royal North Shore Hospital,  located at Reserve Rd, St Leonards.

OPENING HOURS

Monday to Friday

8am till 5:30pm

Saturday

8am till 4pm

Our private, specialist GP services are available via appointment only, and unfortunately we cannot accept patients via ‘walk in’. 

Have you seen our National

TeleHealth Women's Health Clinic Online?

Clinic 66 Online Website

Visit us at: Clinic66Online.com.au

You'll be surprised at how much we can help you by telehealth!

Clinic 66 Accreditation-GPA-logo.png
Clinic 66 logo-isqua-organisation-small.
Clinic 66 JAS-ANZ_LOGO.png
clinic 66 nsqhs-logo 250_edited_edited.p
Clinic 66 Quality Practice Accreditation

©  2024 Clinic 66  |   Your privacy is 100% our policy

bottom of page