Justice for women criminalised under historic abortion laws

BPAS led the campaign that secured a historic parliamentary vote to pardon women criminalised under abortion laws dating back to 1861 and expunge records relating to investigations, arrests and charges.

Following the successful campaign to decriminalise abortion for women and girls, BPAS sought to ensure that those already harmed by historic laws received justice. The organisation brought together a coalition of 44 leading organisations, including medical royal colleges, women's rights organisations, trades unions and violence against women and girls groups, to make the case for reform.

On 18th March, the House of Lords voted by 180 votes to 58 to support the amendment. The result delivers long-overdue justice to women prosecuted under archaic abortion laws and represents one of the most significant reproductive rights victories in modern British history.