There is a proposal for exclusion zones around Victorian abortion clinics to stop protesters harassing patients and staff.
According to Dr. Susie Allanson, a psychologist from the East Melbourne Fertility Control Clinic, in more instances the authorities are being called to control protesters and this is in reality a waste of resources. “We're talking about the sort of situation where, even if there are a handful of picketers, their behavior is so disrespectful and just contrary to usual norms of behavior… Women come in very distressed.”
According to a spokesman for the Helpers of God's Precious Infants, Ben O'Brien, they have not harassed anyone and that many women had benefited from the group's presence outside the clinic for many years.
The call follows a recommendation from the Victorian Law Reform Commission in 2008 for the state government to consider a legislative response to the issue. The State Government is yet to respond.