The Catholic Parliamentary Office - an agency of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland - has condemned the Scottish Government’s decision to dismiss pro-life responses to a consultation on the future of home abortions.
SPUC Director of Communications, Michael Robinson, said: “It is fantastic to see the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland using their influence to give a voice to the many pro-life individuals who are being belittled, and are in danger of being ignored, when it comes to the home abortion question.”
Public opposition to home abortion
In July, the Scottish Government held a consultation asking for people’s views on the future of DIY home abortion after it was introduced as a temporary measure during the national lockdown.
Only 17 percent of respondents to the consultation wanted DIY abortions to be made permanent. In comparison, 61 percent wanted the measure to be banned and 74 percent argued that it had a negative impact on the health and safety of women.
In addition, over 600 medical professionals signed a letter calling on the governments of England, Wales and Scotland to end home abortions due to the risk of women being coerced into an abortion against their will.
Although the feedback clearly demonstrates public opposition to home abortion, the Scottish Government has attempted to dismiss the majority's concerns. The Director of the Catholic Parliamentary Office, Anthony Horan, said: “The Scottish Government shockingly sought to downplay those individuals who raised concerns, labelling a significant number of the responses as ‘organised by pro-life or faith groups’ as if to downgrade their importance.”
The publication of the Women’s Health Plan, which aims to “make telephone and video consultation universally available as an option for abortion services”, shows the government brushing the consultation results under the carpet.
"Risking the health of women"
Mr Horan said that the government is “hell-bent on making the [home abortion] arrangements permanent”. He argued: “The Scottish Government is risking the health and wellbeing of vulnerable women and their unborn children, and riding roughshod over democratic convention. It is dangerous for women, and it is dangerous for democracy.”
SPUC’s Mr Robinson said: “After more than a year since the introduction of DIY abortion as a temporary measure, there is abundant evidence that this was a reckless, poorly evidenced policy that continues to put women at risk.
"This consultation clearly shows that there is no popular appetite for this dangerous policy to be made permanent. However, as in Northern Ireland, the pro-abortion lobby views democracy with disdain, ignoring all opposition as it pushes its agenda of death.”
Find out more about SPUC’s campaign to end home abortions - The Case Against DIY Abortions.