Those seeking an abortion will be made all that safer with the first 'safe areas' being introduced around abortion service providers next month.
From August 25, safe areas will cover up to 150 metres around the premises of an abortion service clinic to "protect the safety, wellbeing, privacy and dignity" of those seeking and providing abortions.
Safe areas will stop specific types of behaviour that could be considered distressing to a person accessing or providing abortion services.
In March last year, the law - the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion (Safe Areas) Amendment Act (2022) - was passed to allow the creation of safe areas.
Examples of behaviours that are prohibited are:
- Blocking entrances to premises or preventing people from entering or leaving
- Photographing or videoing someone in a manner that is likely to cause emotional distress to someone accessing or providing abortion-related services
- Approaching a person to provide information about abortion services (unless part of the provision of services)
- Approaching a person to attempt to dissuade them from accessing these services
- Providing anti-abortion pamphlets or similar materials
- Engaging in protest about matters relating to the provision of abortion services.
The first six safe areas have been approved by Cabinet and are:
- Auckland Medical Aid Centre (AMAC)
- Epsom Day Unit, Greenlane Clinical Centre
- Te Mahoe Unit, Wellington Regional Hospital
- Te Nīkau, Grey Hospital and Health Centre, Greymouth Hospital
- Gynaecology Procedure Unit (GPU) and Christchurch Women's Hospital, Christchurch Hospital
- Dunedin Hospital.
The Ministry of Health's (MoH) website says abortion service providers have to apply to have a safe area created at their clinic, which is determined on a "case-by-case basis".
"Safe area regulations can only be created by the Governor-General, by Order in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Health, in consultation with the Minister of Justice. This process may take up to nine months," MoH's website read.
"The Code of Health and Disability Consumers' Rights outline the rights all people have when accessing a health service. This includes the rights to be treated with respect, freedom from discrimination, coercion, harassment and exploitation."
Applications for the second round of safe areas are now going through the Government process, with the third round of applications due to open on August 7.
