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 This is all due to an outdated law from 1861 that makes abortion a criminal offence.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 This is why Level Up is campaigning for the outdated 1861 law to be removed, and abortion to be decriminalised.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

I am so sorry that ‘Katie’ or any woman suffers such cruel behaviour by NHS and police system. To have to have an abortion is bad enough, without all of this criminalising it. Personally, I have never needed an abortion but have experienced such NHS cruelty when lying on hosp bed miscarrying an early foetus. After the curt nurse said that I had ‘finished bleeding’, she told me that I could ‘go home how’ as i was not pregnant. No kind words ar compassion. I was mid forties and had always very much wanted a baby – I was heart broken – but had to get up and make my way home alone. The pregnancy followed a date rape situation which was horrible but i accepted it (didn’t report it) wondering if i might have become pregnant. . . I do believe that men should be held responsible for every pregnancy esp when raped or coerced into having sex. Perhaps best if all men were neutered in early teens. This can be reversed in almost every case – and it is a simple quick minor surgery – much safer that all the contraceptives which women endure. Good luck to all women

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

I am so very sorry that you are being put through this horrendous treatment. Abortion is healthcare and you shouldn’t be facing a trial, nor should you have had to face questioning and intimidation by the police. I want you to know that I and many others are standing with you in solidarity. Abortion is not something that should concern anyone but the patient and their doctors. Women should have the right to make the choice to end their pregnancy without fear. Sending love and support to you. Xxx

Dear Katie, I want you to know that you have my full support during this time. The fact that you are being prosecuted under such an outdated and unjust law is deeply concerning and outright disgusting. Abortion is healthcare, and no one should be criminalised for making decisions about their own body!!! You are not alone in this fight; many people stand with you, advocating for the decriminalisation of abortion and the end of these archaic laws. Stay strong, and remember that your bravery and resilience are inspiring to many.

I’m so sorry to hear that you’re being prosecuted – I really don’t think that is at all fair and very much hope that with the right personal and legal support behind you, right will prevail and you will be found innocent. You’ve done nothing wrong and you shouldn’t be punished. I very much hope that the law will be changed and you and other people in your position won’t find yourselves on the receiving end of an outdated law which is totally inappropriate in the modern age. I wish you all the very best. Please look after yourself. Best wishes, Amanda, London

Amanda

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.

Hi “Katie”, I just want to let you know that you are seen and loved, even by people that you have never met and even though you can’t see us, we stand with you. I know you know that you have done nothing wrong and should never have been made to feel as if you have and to experience the trauma that you have, but I just wanted to reinforce that and also say how sorry I am that this has happened. I have had two abortions and one child so have seen both sides and know that no one gets to make or judge this decision except for you. Abortion is healthcare and what is best for you, is best.

Becca Thomson

So sorry to hear about this, Katie. It is further evidence of the fact that Britain is not a gender equal country at all, and that unwanted pregnancy is still being used to judge and punish women under archaic and patriarchal ideas of “morality”. As if the decision to end a pregnancy is one lightly made. And – the elephant in the room – as if women just become pregnant on our own!! Keep battling – we will win this. Sorry again that in the meantime you are being subjected to such injustice. Jennifer X

Jennifer Akdemir

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