Silent Prayer Outside Abortion Clinics Is a Form of Reproductive Coercion

(MENAFN- The Conversation) Christian prayer is generally an uncontroversial activity in Britain, often seen as benign or even positive. But in some contexts, prayer can be felt as intimidating, particularly when it is seen as “inappropriate” or when the motives for praying are questioned.

It is therefore not surprising that most Britons consider it wrong to pray outside abortion clinics.

Following a bill – which has been passed but not yet enacted – aimed at stopping activism in the immediate vicinity of all abortion clinics in Britain, anti-abortion campaigners have responded forcefully, saying that legislating against silent prayer would violate their human rights.

But anti-abortion activities in UK clinics vary enormously and are not limited to silent prayer practices. Our research into anti-abortion activism in the UK has shown that what happens at protests can change from hour to hour, depending on who is present.

Some protesters will try to reach out to patients, others will recite prayers – out loud or silently – while others will hold banners or candles. Some will hand out leaflets or rosaries.

Many anti-abortion activists argue that praying outside abortion clinics offers women choice and support, and that this would be especially important if those women were forced to have an abortion.

However, abortion activists’ deep religious objections often prevent them from understanding the intimidation and harm they can cause. Their position also ignores that pressuring someone to continue a pregnancy is also a form of coercion.

Are you just praying?

Signs outside an abortion clinic in the UK. Image rights: Pam Lowe and Sarah Jane Page, provided by the author (no reuse)

Although many anti-abortion activists claim that they are just “praying,” women who seek abortion services have no idea what the anti-abortion activists are trying to do. For example, many women are worried or fearful because they don’t know how far the activists will go to keep them out of the clinic.

Anti-abortion activists often deny that intimidation occurs, but in our field research we have witnessed women being continually harassed and followed for short distances, even when the protest event is billed as a “peaceful prayer vigil.”

Although physical violence between anti-abortion activists, clinic users or members of the general public is rare, it does occur. Such incidents are not always initiated by anti-abortion activists and, at times, protesters may even be targeted for violence and harassment by others.

But the presence of anti-abortion activists outside clinics makes the space intimidating and increases the risk of potential violence.

It also has a negative impact on the lives of local residents who express concern about not knowing the motives of strangers lurking around their homes, especially when it is dark.

It’s not just the general public that recognizes the negative impact of anti-abortion activism. We interviewed Christians who oppose abortion but nonetheless recognize that staying away from abortion clinics is not only wrong but also a “misuse of prayer.”

This view is not shared only by lay people. We also met Catholic priests who did not support prayers outside abortion clinics.

A priest and another anti-abortion protester pray outside an abortion clinic in the UK in 2019. Image rights: Pam Lowe and Sarah Jane Page, provided by the author (no reuse)

Public shame

Drawing public attention to abortion is at the heart of the anti-abortion activists’ logic. By standing in front of abortion clinics, anti-abortion activists invite passersby to pay attention to the service and those who use it. The protest aims to turn a private health care decision into a public spectacle.

Although a large majority of Britons support abortion, it remains stigmatized. By standing outside clinics, anti-abortion campaigners seek to encourage public shaming as a way to dissuade women from having abortions.

These two key points – individual intimidation and public shaming – have been recognised by British courts which have sought to maintain the buffer zones that already exist in some areas.

The Supreme Court recognised that the human rights of anti-abortion campaigners in Northern Ireland were restricted when they were prevented from going outside an abortion clinic, but that this was a necessary and proportionate measure to protect the rights of women seeking abortions. In particular, the irony of anti-abortion campaigners complaining about their own loss of liberty while seeking to restrict the liberty of others was noted.

Anti-abortion activists claim they go to clinics to support women, but our research shows that their actions are a form of reproductive coercion. Their prayers, including silent prayers, are a central part of this strategy.

It must be acknowledged that their actions are actually aimed at targeting women through individual intimidation and public shaming, and they should direct their prayers elsewhere.

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