Safe Access Zones

Safe Access Zones have been introduced at health service locations providing abortion services across Northern Ireland from 29 September 2023. The Zones are being established under Assembly legislation to protect women and girls accessing abortion treatment services, information, advice and counselling, and to protect staff working at these locations.

Key information about the Safe Access is available below:

the law is known as the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act (Northern Ireland) 2023, which received Royal Assent on 6 February 2023.
under this law, anti-abortion protests and other behaviours are prohibited within any Safe Access Zone once it has been established, and this may be enforced by the PSNI.
the law creates responsibilities for any providers of abortion services (who are referred to as ”operators”) who wish to establish Safe Access Zones, for the Department of Health as well as for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
the Department of Health has developed Operator Guidance which sets out how Safe Access Zones are to be implemented and monitored by the Department, by operators such as Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts or by other organisations in line with the legislation. A link to the guidance is provided below.
a Safe Access Zone includes the ”protected premises” where the services are provided, as well the public areas around the protected premises at a distance of at least 100 metres from each entry and exit point. This distance may be extended up to a maximum of 250 metres from entry and exit points if the operator considers it appropriate in order to allow safe access to “protected persons”.
each Safe Access Zone is clearly marked with signage and a map. Information on the location of each Safe Access Zone is displayed at all protected premises and published on the Department of Health and HSC Trust websites.
the Zones will only apply to the strictly designated public space areas. They do not apply to private properties.