Decriminalise abortion to stop harassment of women via prosecutions, says Stella Creasy

Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Stella Creasy, who is backing proposals to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales, told The Independent that abortions must be treated as healthcare rather than a “criminal matter”. Ms Creasy is one of a group of cross-party MPs putting forward an amendment to the government’s Criminal Justice Bill which would decriminalise abortion during the current time limit of 24 weeks and safeguard medics who help provide terminations. Women must be able to access abortions “in dignity and privacy without anybody questioning their choice because it is their choice to make”, Ms Creasy added. Discussing the lock, Ms Creasy said: “Given the growing evidence of increased anti-abortion activism, and the huge amounts of money they are raising to campaign, this would be an important part of protecting future services.” She explained she had seen first-hand “how organised and mobilised” anti-abortion activists are - adding there is genuine concern that the “backlash is already well-funded and ready to go”.