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Solidarity with Katie

Katie* is facing trial for ending a pregnancy, and is living with the stress and trauma of an ongoing police investigation into her NHS-prescribed abortion. This is all due to an outdated law from 1861 that makes abortion a criminal offence.

Abortion is healthcare, and should be treated as such. This is why Level Up is campaigning for the outdated 1861 law to be removed, and abortion to be decriminalised. Until we achieve that, the most important thing we can do is show solidarity with women who are still being prosecuted under these archaic laws.

It’s crucial that Katie knows the public are on her side – please share a message of support, and we will pass them onto Katie. 

* Katie is not her real name. 

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messages of solidarity

Dear Katie, I am so angry and frustrated and sorry that this happened (and is still happening) to you. Abortion is healthcare, responsible abortion-providing dating scans etc- is vital. You were failed by the NHS and the government on your moment of greatest need. I see you, I support you unwaveringly, and while I’m not Christian, I will make a petition to the Old Gods for Justice. Finally- the midwife should be ashamed. Her whole career is supposed to be about supporting and advocating for women, not condemning and judging. I stand shoulder to shoulder with you

Sam B

Hi Katie (sorry I can’t use your real name), I am so so sorry to hear about the terrible time you’ve been having. I used to be an NHS doctor, and as far as I’m concerned it should be the midwife who reported you, not you, who is facing investigation. Every nurse and doctor who works in the NHS is taught from day one that patient confidentiality is an absolute, only to be broken in very specific circumstances. Your circumstance was not one of them, and she had no right to do what she did. It must be unbelievably stressful to have to go through an abortion and then emergency surgery, so to then be faced with criminal charges doesn’t bear thinking about. It makes me very angry that women are not allowed to own their own bodies. It makes me even angrier when I hear about other women as well as men interfering like this. I have been campaigning for women to have free access to abortion services, as well as for women in prisons to have proper access to maternity care. It seems that there has been a sudden increase in the number of women in your situation being prosecuted, which surely has no basis in today’s society, and we have to work hard to stop it. I’m sending you hope and strength and sisterly love, and the strongest wishes that all the charges against you are dropped. Good luck and stay strong, you have done nothing wrong. Diana x

Diana Brighouse

Dear Katie, I’m so sorry to learn about what you experienced and am furious on your behalf that something so unfathomable could happen to you. I spent a night in hospital due to a gynaecological procedure and felt suicidal, so can only imagine how you must have felt. You should have been safe and protected, not punished. I know words from strangers can’t undo the harm done to you, but I hope it brings you some comfort to know that people like me are on your side, sending love and compassion. I will continue to support Level Up’s campaign to decriminalise abortion and hope the legal system sees sense over your treatment (the moral crime is entirely theirs).

I write this message of support to you during this difficult time in your life. You have done nothing wrong. You are a woman in a world run by men who want to control us. Stand up and be counted. Raise your head and your voice. You are not alone. We stand with you side by side, shoulder to shoulder and we lift you up. We are your sisters in arms. We are warriors and we will fight on until comwomensense prevails. We rise and we keep on rising. Believe in a better, fairer, safer world where women are honoured for the beautiful creatures we are. Our life. Our choice. Freedom!

Tara

Katie, I’m so sorry that you’re in this position. You’re not alone, there are thousands of women who could have been in this situation. No one should be punished for seeking health care and you shouldn’t have to deal with the stress and pain of this situation. I don’t know what else to say, my words can’t change what is happening. But you’re not alone, I’m standing beside you, and there’s a whole army here too. You’re strong, you’re brave, and you’re worthy of all of the support.