The number of places where buddies accompany women to abortion clinics is being expanded. This is necessary due to persistent intimidation by anti-abortion demonstrators, says the Samen naar de Kliniek foundation.
Intimidation at the door of Dutch abortion clinics has been going on for some time. People who go to an abortion clinic are often confronted by religious anti-abortion protesters. That is why support is needed.
Together to the Clinic is already working with a buddy system in The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht. These volunteers accompany the women to the clinic. This year the system will also be introduced in Zwolle, Groningen, Roermond, Amsterdam and Haarlem. Heemstede may also be eligible.
The foundation considers the buddies necessary because a national approach with buffer zones is not forthcoming. The idea was that demonstrators were only allowed to stand in certain sections to demonstrate. But that plan has only really taken off in a few municipalities.
Together to the Clinic emphasizes that women are free to choose to terminate their pregnancy. “Our volunteers do not judge the choice, the reason or the situation in which the pregnancy came about,” the foundation writes in a press release.
Ultimately, Samen naar de Kliniek wants to deploy buddies at all abortion clinics in the Netherlands.
