Fighting for abortion rights

In recent years, there has been a troubling surge in women facing criminal investigations for illegal abortions. This is despite only 3 women being convicted for the illegal termination of a pregnancy between 1861 and 2022. Brook believes that abortion is healthcare and should not sit within the criminal law, and has been campaigning alongside 30 other organisations to decriminalise those who end their own pregnancy.

Thanks to this campaign, an amendment was added to the Crime and Policing Bill removing people from the criminal law for undergoing an abortion. This landmark amendment was passed by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, so that those who terminate a pregnancy will no longer face investigations, criminal charges or custodial sentences.

The new legislation also pardons those who were previously convicted under England and Wales outdated abortion laws. These changes mark a huge victory in the fight to ensure people can access free, safe abortions without fear of prosecution.