Safe Access Zones now established in Northern Ireland

Safe Access Zones have been introduced at eight health service locations across Northern Ireland.

The Zones are now in operation at premises run by five Health and Social Care Trusts.

These are:

Information on the location of each Safe Access Zone is displayed at protected premises and published on the Department of Health and HSC Trust websites, and public signage highlighting the legal requirements has been erected at each Zone.

Safe Access Zones have been established under NI Assembly legislation, Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act (Northern Ireland) 2023, to protect women and girls accessing abortion services, information, advice and counselling, and protect staff working at these locations. It is illegal for them to be impeded, recorded, influenced or to be caused harassment, alarm or distress within the Zones.

Notes to editors: 

1. Information on Safe Access Zones is available on Department of Health website.
2. Frequently Asked Questions are available on the Department of Health website.
3. The legislation criminalises certain actions within the strictly designated public areas in the vicinity of these services. The Supreme Court has ruled that Safe Access Zones legislation is not incompatible with the Convention rights of those who seek to express opposition to the provision of abortion services in Northern Ireland. More information is available on The Supreme Court website.
4. For media enquiries please contact the DoH Press Office by email pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk.
5. Follow us on Twitter @healthdpt
6. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service For Media Enquiries Only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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