Women’s Health Victoria is celebrating the commencement of safe access zones in Victoria today. We congratulate the Victorian Government on introducing this important and long awaited reform and thank all the parliamentarians involved in the passing of this legislation. Rita Butera, Executive Director of Women’s Health Victoria explained that the legislation creates safe access zones of 150 metres outside services providing surgical and/or medical abortions, and follows similar legislation passed in Tasmania and the ACT in 2015.
‘This reform to enable women to access legal health services free of harassment is long overdue,’ Ms Butera commented ‘We wish to recognise the bravery of the women who have been subjected to harassment and intimidation in the past, and the dedication and courage of the staff and health professionals who have put themselves on the line, year after year, to ensure women can safely access the basic health services they need,’ Butera added.
Ms Butera also said that Women’s Health Victoria is confident that all women will now be able to access reproductive health services with the same degree of dignity, privacy and safety that all Victorians are entitled to expect when accessing a health service. We expect to see this new law protecting women’s right to safe access respected by all members of the community.