Anti-abortion societies increased from 8 to 14 as bans against the pro-life groups are lifted. Despite the growing threats from pro-choice groups in the universities, anti-abortion campaigns are still gaining more ground.
Pro-life groups have received milk shaking threats during their events at Freshers’ Fayre, and student unions in universities are threatening more.
Anti-abortion campaigns and hostilities
As more calls to protect free speech are heeded to, pro-life groups increase events to reach out to more students in the university. The campuses and the Freshers’ Fayre are excellent opportunities.
Meanwhile, student unions and some students in the universities are vehemently kicking against the approach of pro-life groups to recruit more followers.
In an event by the Strathclyde Students for Life, Strathclyde Students’ Union requested that the anti-abortion society take down graphic images from their freshers’ fair stall as a student complained.
Again, Aberdeen Life Ethics Society, a pro-life group, experienced protest against their anti-abortion campaigns at Freshers’ Fayre. They received rude gestures from students and milkshakes. Yet, the campaign was a success.
The CEO of the Alliance of Pro-Life Students (APS), Madeline Page, believes the number of pro-life communities in universities will continue to increase despite the actions of pro-choice groups.
About this time last year, pro-life groups were only eight in number. Currently, the number has risen to fourteen, and more are yet to be formed on campuses, according to Alliance for pro-life students.
The removal of bans against anti-abortion groups by the student unions of Birmingham, Aberdeen, and Strathclyde gave rise to the observed increase in pro-life groups.
The decision of the student unions was influenced by the call of the Office for Students (OfS), the higher education regulator, and the Equality Commission for Human Rights (EHRC), to uphold freedom of speech.
Nevertheless, the secretary of the new Birmingham Students for Life, Helena Purle, said that pro-life followers have always been on campus. They only began to voice out as universities are honoring the freedom of speech.
Pro-choice argument
Pro-choice supporters hold the opinion that the message put across by the anti-abortion groups are shaming, which they find offensive. They said supporting pro-choice societies, and feminist groups will counter the activities of pro-life communities.
A typical example is a graphic image the anti-abortion groups put up in Freshers’ Fayre. According to the supporters of pro-choice, such visual images would cause distress to freshers, making them feel unsafe.
Pro-choice supporters take it upon themselves to ensure that pro-life activities don’t result in campus divisions.
However, restricting the activities of pro-life groups in Freshers’ Fayre would go against the freedom of speech being supported by universities. Says the EHRC spokesperson:
We know that abortion rights are a highly contested issue, and universities also have to consider equality obligations, but preventing pro-life societies from affiliating with student unions may go against a university’s obligation to protect freedom of speech on campus.
Clarification of the pro-life versus pro-choice issues
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is a non-departmental public body in England and Wales, established by the Equality Act 2006 with effect from 1 October 2007. The Commission has responsibility for the promotion and enforcement of equality and non-discrimination laws in England, Scotland and Wales.
Someone who is “pro-life” believes that the government has an obligation to preserve all human life, regardless of intent, viability, or quality-of-life concerns. A comprehensive pro-life ethic, such as that proposed by the Roman Catholic Church, prohibits, Abortion.
