On June 12th, a woman from Stoke-on-Trent was sentenced to 28 months under Section 58 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 for inducing an abortion with a pill past the legal threshold.
There is a misconception that abortion is legal under current legislation in England and Wales; this is only partially true.
The Abortion Act 1967 legalised abortion in limited circumstances, such as not being able to have an abortion after 24 weeks unless the woman’s life is in danger, the child is likely to have severe disabilities and/or to prevent permanent physical or mental injury, to the woman.
We are utterly outraged that a woman has been sent to prison for administering healthcare, and we call upon the government to take action and change the legislation so that this can not happen again.
Women and girls should have autonomy over their own bodies, not the state.
