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Almost three-quarters of survey respondents believe that abortions in Jersey should be available without any justification of need.
The results of a survey which is set to inform potential changes to the island's abortion laws have been revealed.
A review of the Termination of Pregnancy (Jersey) Law was announced by then-Health Minister Karen Wilson last year.
At the time, Deputy Wilson described it as “really quite clear” that Jersey's abortion legislation needs reviewed, as many other countries have revised their legislation since the island introduced its own back in 1997.
Pictured: In Jersey, the General Hospital is currently the only place approved in the 1997 law where terminations can be carried out – meaning that early medical terminations cannot take place at home.
The consultation ran from 20 July to 31 October 2023 and aimed to gather views on the current Termination of Pregnancy (Jersey) 1997 Law to inform the development of any possible changes to the law.
The results of that consultation were shared in a report published yesterday...
Grounds for termination
Almost three-quarters (74%) of respondents stated termination should be available on request (i.e. without justification of need).
95% stated termination should be available where there is risk to the life of the woman; 91% where there is risk of grave permanent injury to the woman’s physical or mental health; 85% where there is risk of injury (not grave or permanent).
86% supported termination on the grounds of foetal abnormality, where the child, if born, would suffer serious physical or mental abnormalities, but respondents did raise questions as to the type and degree of foetal abnormality.
83% supported termination on distress (the ground on which most terminations are currently carried out in Jersey).
Only 21% supported termination for sexual selection (the intentional aborting of a foetus of a certain gender).
Pictured: Jersey law currently requires those seeking an abortion to be examined by at least two doctors.
Gestational limits
Just under two-thirds (59%) of respondents stated that the gestational limit at which termination should be permitted (ie. the length of time that a baby has been developing inside the womb) should depend on the grounds for termination. This was higher (74%) for those with professional experience.
Over 50% thought gestational limits should not apply if there was: risk to the life of the woman (74%), risk of grave permanent injury to her physical or mental health (69%), risk of foetal abnormality (54%), pregnancy that results from rape (52%) or incest (53%).
Interactions with health professionals
Most respondents (37%) stated that the number of health care professionals a woman should have to consult with before having a termination should be dependent on the point in gestation, but people with professional experience favoured two at any point gestation (42%).
Of those who stated that ‘the number of health care professionals should be dependent on the point in gestation’ most stated there should be one health and care professional (72%) until the 12th week (34%), at which point there should be two (64%).
For early medical termination (up to end of 9th week of gestation), if there were only one consultation, responses were almost evenly split between consultation by phone / video link (47%) and in person consultation (50%). Almost three quarters (74%) of those with professional experience thought consultation should be in person.
If there were more than one consultation, 39% of respondents stated that there should be a mixture of phone / video link and in person consultation. Most people with professional experience stated all consultation should be in person (46%), but they were more likely to respond in favour of phone / video link consultation when used in combination with in person consultation.
Just over one-third (36%) stated a woman should be able to self-administer both medications at home. This increased to just over three quarters (74%) if there was at least one in-person consultation.
Criminal liability
One-fifth (20%) of respondents stated the woman should be liable for prosecution if she had a termination that did not accord with the provisions of the law.
Just over two-thirds (39%) stated any person carrying out the termination should be liable.
40% stated no-one should be liable as termination should not be a criminal issue.
Safe Access Zones
80% of respondents thought safe access zones should be introduced in Jersey.
The Government said that the feedback would be used to draft an updated version of the law to be voted on by States Members before the end of the year.
However, as well as legislative issues, the survey also revealed concerns about the cost of abortions, and issues with how the process is currently carried out – both of which Express will be exploring later this week.
Pictured: Some jurisdictions have safe access zones to protect people who use or work in termination services from harassment and intimidation by anti-termination protestors including verbal abuse, filming, following people, unsolicited contact and use of banners or signs containing derogatory slogans.
Assistant Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Andy Howell, said: “I would like to thank everyone who participated in the consultation for their feedback.
"This will help inform the future of this very important issue.”
EXPLAINED: How far behind is Jersey's abortion law?
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