Abortion Policy: Clinic Vigil Protest

Tender description

The Scottish Government is seeking to commission independent research into vigils/protests that take place outside of abortion clinics within Scotland. This research will be undertaken by the Scottish Government to understand the prevalence of protests/vigils and the effects they have on staff working within clinics, women accessing abortion services and local residents. Each year in Scotland over 13,000 women and girls have an abortion (termination of pregnancy) with 99% of these happening within the first trimester of pregnancy. The vast majority of abortions are carried out by NHS boards with the pregnancy being ended either by a medical abortion that involves taking two types of medication, or a surgical abortion which involves a small operation. Vigils/protests that take place are largely unmonitored meaning that the Scottish Government does not have a clear understanding of their prevalence or the impact that they have on staff working at the clinic or women who are seeking abortion services. Over the past 12 months there has been increased attention brought to protests/vigils by groups such as Back Off Scotland who have repeatedly written to the Scottish Government asking for further measures to be put in place for women accessing clinics. In order to make a proper assessment of the impact of vigils/protest and to determine what further action, if any, may be appropriate, the Scottish Government is seeking to commission research that will examine vigils/protests.