Influential scholarly news source The Conversation has published an article by Professor Sally Sheldon which argues for the decriminalisation of abortion in the UK.
In the article, Professor Sheldon details how the 154 year old legislation that prohibits abortion is highly anachronistic and fundamentally flawed. She argues that criminalisation of abortion under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 reflects Victorian social attitudes and fails to recognise the ability of women to make moral decisions about their own fertility. Moreover, she argues the current legislation is inconsistent with other areas of medical practice.
Referring to her article published in the Oxford Journal of Legal Studies this month, in which she expands upon the argument for discrimination of abortion, Professor Sheldon writes that the time for legal reform is now:
‘It is high time abortion was decriminalised in the UK… [This] would mean recognising that the threat of prison is no fit response to the terrified teenager [who takes abortion drugs that she has bought over the internet rather than tell anyone that she is pregnant] or, indeed, to any woman who feels unable to access formal health care services….Sweeping away criminal prohibitions on abortion would also begin to address the stigma associated with a procedure sought by one in three British women at some point in their lives, and the health professionals that care for them.’
Professor Sheldon is a leading expert and commentator on the regulation of abortion in the UK, has written extensively on the subject, and contributed to a discussion about the decriminalisation of abortion at the House of Commons in October 2014. Professor Sheldon has published widely in the area of medical ethics and law – in addition to her book Beyond Control: Medical Power and Abortion Law, she has co-edited a collection of essays on Feminist Perspectives on Health Care Law and, together with Richard Collier of Newcastle Law School, has co-authored a socio-legal study of fatherhood called Fragmenting Fatherhood. Her current research centres on the legal challenges raised by medical abortion. She is a founding member of lawyers for choice (www.lawyersforchoice.com).
For more information about Professor Sheldon’s publications, visit her staff profile page.