Abortion Laws UK: End Jail Time for Women | Frances Ryan
- A potential shift in the United Kingdom's abortion laws could be on the horizon as an amendment to decriminalize abortion in England and Wales gathers support.
- Tonia Antoniazzi, a Labor MP, is spearheading the effort by tabling an amendment to the crime and policing bill.
- The push for decriminalization comes amid a rise in prosecutions for suspected illegal abortions.
The UK is on the verge of potentially transforming its abortion laws,with a new amendment aiming to decriminalize abortion in England and Wales. This crucial reform could end the prosecution of women under an outdated 1861 law, a move gaining meaningful momentum. Over 100 women have faced legal battles in recent years.The amendment, championed by Labor MP Tonia Antoniazzi, addresses the rise in abortion prosecutions, seeking to protect vulnerable women facing investigation or imprisonment, often amidst complex personal circumstances. News Directory 3 brings you up-to-date coverage on the latest developments. Will this shift in legislation secure greater reproductive rights? Discover what’s next …
Abortion Law Reform in UK: Decriminalization Amendment Gains Momentum
Updated June 16, 2025
A potential shift in the United Kingdom’s abortion laws could be on the horizon as an amendment to decriminalize abortion in England and Wales gathers support. The proposed change aims to remove women from criminal liability under the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861, a law enacted before women had the right to vote.
Tonia Antoniazzi, a Labor MP, is spearheading the effort by tabling an amendment to the crime and policing bill. If passed, the amendment would allow women to terminate a pregnancy after 24 weeks or without the approval of two doctors without facing prosecution. senior government officials anticipate the amendment will pass with a significant majority, bolstered by the backing of over 130 members of Parliament.
The push for decriminalization comes amid a rise in prosecutions for suspected illegal abortions. Over the past decade, more than 100 women have been prosecuted, with the number of court cases increasing in the 21st century. Between 1861 and 2022, only three women in Great Britain were convicted of illegal abortion. Since December 2022, seven women have been charged, and one has been jailed.
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) attributes the increase in prosecutions to a combination of factors, including suspicion toward women in certain circumstances, increased awareness of abortion medicine among medical professionals, breaches of confidentiality, and police actions. Earlier this year, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) issued guidance on searching women’s homes for abortion drugs and seizing their phones to inspect menstrual cycle tracker apps.
Recent cases highlight the disturbing nature of these prosecutions. Nicola Packer was acquitted of unlawfully taking abortion pills at home after the legal time limit during the coronavirus lockdown in 2020. She was arrested in the hospital while recovering from surgery for a stillbirth and spent more than four years clearing her name. During her trial, prosecutors scrutinized her personal life.
Campaigners emphasize that many women face police investigations that ultimately lead nowhere, often involving premature births or stillbirths. Some women have been denied contact with their children during investigations that were later dropped. A teenager who had a late miscarriage was arrested in front of her entire street.
BPAS notes that women and girls who have abortions past the legal cut-off point are often vulnerable, including victims of trafficking or domestic violence. In some cases, women have been investigated or imprisoned while their abusive partners face no consequences.
What’s next
The upcoming vote on the amendment could mark a significant step toward modernizing abortion laws in England and Wales, potentially ending the prosecution of vulnerable women and ensuring greater reproductive rights.