Children by Choice says 119 women considered or took radical step in past five years

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

More than 100 women in Queensland considered or attempted to conduct abortions on themselves in the past five years, according to data from a pro-choice counselling service that will be reviewed by a state parliamentary committee inquiry on Monday.

Queensland has proposed new laws to decriminalise abortion but it remains an offence for both doctors and women, under laws passed in 1899 and largely unchanged since.

Queensland moves to decriminalise abortion within months Read more

Abortion is practised in Queensland but women’s groups say the criminal laws act to restrict access for many women, particularly in regional areas, and increase cost. Guardian Australia reported that in the first half of 2018 more than 60 women from Cairns had flown interstate for procedures that are not performed in Queensland public hospitals.

Children by Choice, an all-options counselling service, says the average distance travelled for an abortion in Queensland is more than 100km. One woman travelled more than 2,000km for a procedure.

The service said it had had 130 conversations with 18 women “who had attempted or were planning to attempt to induce their own miscarriage because they could not access a safe procedure”. Over five years, it discussed self-abortion with 119 women.

A senior counsellor, Sian Tooker, said she suspected “many more” women had been in the same situation but had not sought the support of counsellors.

“We live in a state where women and pregnant people are inducing their own abortions,” Tooker said. “I think that’s a terrible reflection.

“Many of those women, they’re in areas where hospitals routinely turn women away. They’re often in [domestic violence] circumstances or have complex mental health issues and they find it difficult to engage with services.

“They don’t usually have much money. Being turned away by a hospital, they feel the only way out is to do this myself.”

Tooker said Children by Choice attempted to link women to support services.

In one recent case, a woman in a domestic violence situation in a regional area, considered a self-abortion. The local hospital did not perform surgical abortions and her doctor “gave her misinformation and acted in ways that prevented her accessing a private termination in a timely manner”, Tooker said.

In another case during the past year, a Rockhampton woman unable to access a procedure attempted suicide and later self-performed an abortion. As a result, she had to undergo a hysterectomy.

'Young and terrified': the Queensland women forced to go interstate for abortions Read more

“Having access is regional and rural areas is so important,” said Belinda Lindel from the Rockhampton Women’s Health Centre.

The proposed laws would make it legal to terminate a pregnancy up to 22 weeks’ gestation, and thereafter legal after consultation with doctors. Safe-access zones would be set up to restrict protests outside abortion clinics.

Anti-choice groups have argued that the laws are not needed, citing the fact that abortions are already performed in the state. The Liberal National party senators Matt Canavan and Amanda Stoker both spoke in opposition to the laws at a “march for life” rally in Brisbane last week.

It is expected that MPs from all parties will be allowed a conscience vote on the legislation, which should be put to the parliament before the end of the year.