Campaigners are calling for tougher national rules on buffer zones around abortion clinics after a group launched a “disgusting” 40-day protest.
US-based religious group 40 Days for Life is holding 40-day long “vigils” across from the maternity ward of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
One placard held up by the group read "choose life" while another sign read "Pregnant? We care, we will help you".
They are expected to protest outside the hospital every day until April 10.
Campaigner Lucy Grieve from Back Off Scotland said it was “wholly inappropriate” to “intimidate and harass” someone while they are accessing a sensitive medical service at what can be a difficult time.
The group is advocating for a 150m buffer zone to be implemented around every abortion clinic in the country and slammed 40 Days for Life vigils as targeted harassment.
Lucy told the Daily Record: “We’re concerned to see the recent uptick in anti-choice activity returning to clinics providing abortions. This has now become a daily occurrence at the QEUH.
“Abortion is a legal healthcare procedure and protests taking place at healthcare facilities are wholly inappropriate.
"This has nothing to do with freedom of speech or freedom to protest, we support both - we just think that they need to take place at an appropriate location such as parliament.
"Buffer zones, or protest-free zones are needed to protect those accessing abortion services from this targeted intimidation and harassment.
“The Scottish Government need to do the right thing. They must take ownership of their responsibility and implement buffer zones nationally to protect our legal right to accessing healthcare.”
On their website, 40 Days of Life claim to be the "world's largest grassroots movement to end abortion".
Members of the organisation are encouraged to attend "vigils" outside of facilities offering abortion services for 40-day periods.
The current 40-day Spring protest is in place from March 2 until April 10 at the QEUH as well as at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital.
One Scots woman who previously encountered the same protestors while using facilities at the QEUH said she felt threatened and harassed.
Lily said: "I went into hospital first thing in the morning and was faced with a group of protestors holding up placards.
"They remained there seven hours later when I left the clinic. My privacy and safety were threatened, and it was a deeply intimidating experience.
"Implementation of a buffer zone would have meant that I felt safe. You would think safety isn't much to ask for but here we are.
"Imposing opinion on a personal matter, when not asked for, and occupying of space in this context are aggressive acts."
She added: "Each person who walks into the unit, whatever service they are accessing or job they are doing, deserves to do so without the presence of anti-choice protests."
One teenager who had to book an appointment at the Chalmers Centre in Edinburgh after being sexually assaulted in May 2021 was called a 'teenage murderer' by one protestor.
She said: “I was a victim of sexual assault and had to book an appointment with Chalmers. Already blaming myself, and terrified to tell anyone, I was 17, and completely by myself.
"A small group of individuals, mostly male, were standing on the other side of the road. I was repeatedly called out to by one of the men, and when I glared at him and ignored him, he called me a ‘teenage murderer’.
"I have never been pregnant, I have never had an abortion, and I’ve never even used a contraceptive medication – but they tried to publicly humiliate me for it. I felt threatened and terrified, in a time when I needed protection and comfort.”
Politicians also slammed the protests and said they are putting the safety of women at risk as they backed an emergency implementation of buffer zones.
Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: “Women accessing abortion clinics should be able to do without harassment.
“SNP ministers know that anti-choice protests are putting the safety and privacy of women at risk.
“I pay tribute to Back Off Scotland for its courageous campaign and for not letting this issue go.
“The Scottish Government must stop making excuses and urgently introduce emergency legislation on buffer zones around abortion clinics."
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said: “Women seeking intimate medical care should not have to cross a picket line in order to do so. I have been asking for buffer zones for three years and I will continue to fight for the existence of buffer zones until women do not have to suffer this horrible harassment ever again.
“The current situation is simply not good enough. It is the responsibility of a modern and liberal society to uphold its citizen’s rights to medical access and medical privacy. By allowing the harassment and intimidation of those who are vulnerable, we are encouraging the existence of a society that is illiberal, uncaring, and archaic.”
Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “The Scottish Government believes all women in Scotland should be able to access timely abortion care without judgment, within the limits of the law, should they require it
“I have convened a working group with partners such as CoSLA, Police Scotland and affected Councils and Health Boards to find an appropriate way forward as soon as possible in relation to protests or vigils outside abortion clinics.
“The working group is continuing to explore ways to ensure that women can access abortion services without feeling harassed or intimidated.”
