Launch of a New Charity Aimed at Tackling Abortion Stigma: ‘Abortion Talk’
28 June 2021
Today sees the virtual launch of a new charity, Abortion Talk, which aims to “destigmatise abortion, one conversation at a time” by providing safe spaces to talk for people affected by abortion and healthcare professionals who provide abortion care.
Background
‘Abortion Talk’ co-founder, Jayne Kavanagh, first started to think about the need for safe spaces for abortion providers to talk about the more challenging and emotional aspects of their work in 2012, when a friend and colleague was reported to the General Medical Council (GMC) following the Care Quality Commission ‘raid’ on abortion clinics. Her subsequent experiences facilitating workshops with abortion providers, community sexual and reproductive healthcare (CSRH) and obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) trainees reinforced her belief that providers would benefit from a supportive space to talk about their work outside the clinical setting.
For ‘Abortion Talk’ co-founder, Lesley Hoggart, things began back in 2014 when she was interviewing women who’d had an abortion for a research project. At the end of the very first interview, she asked, “Why did you agree to do this interview?”. The participant told her that there was no one else to talk to about her experiences – a response that was repeated several times during the study.
Between 2016 and 2019, Jayne worked with Lesley on the multimedia travelling exhibition My Body My Life, a community engagement project based on abortion research. The exhibition highlighted the persistence of internalised abortion stigma in people who attended and reinforced the concern that although abortion is safe, accessible and legal in the UK, it can be an isolating and stigmatising experience for some. Though many people would feel nothing but relief about their abortion, Lesley and Jayne and many others who are now Abortion Talk Trustees and Advisers felt they could do more for those who didn’t feel this way.
Jayne and Lesley were also profoundly influenced by INROADS (International Network for the Reduction of Abortion Discrimination and Stigma). At an INROADS global gathering in 2020, they learned about how in some countries where abortion is illegal, women and pregnant people are emotionally supported through and beyond abortion by feminist campaigning groups. This inspired them to try and provide similar supportive space in the UK.
Following conversations and work with other pro-choice advocates, Jayne and Lesley founded ‘Abortion Talk’ in early 2021.
Research
The work of the charity is very much informed by research conducted by the Sexuality and Abortion Stigma Study (SASS). The study found that a common experience described by health professionals working in abortion care was encountering resistance or hostility from sexual and reproductive health (SRH) or gynaecology colleagues. This included lack of support for abortion services, which also served to frame abortion care as more stigmatised than other areas of SRH. Health professionals were aware of broader negative sociocultural narratives, which they had to resist or reject when interacting with others outside the healthcare system. Ways in which they did this ranged from not disclosing their job (for instance to their faith group) to navigating negativity about their work. The research also found that some women may feel that they can only talk about abortion in ways that are currently the norm (i.e. that it is difficult and negative), and that talking about it in other, more positive, ways may not always be seen as an option, even if this more accurately reflects their experience.
Abortion Talk Services
Created with the needs of those who seek abortion, those who support women and pregnant people, and those who provide abortion care, ‘Abortion Talk’ is committed to ensuring people feel heard and valued and receive the support they want/need.
The Talkline provides a confidential space for people to talk about abortion.
Open every Wednesday and Thursday, 6.00pm–10.00pm (UK time)
For everyone: +44 (0) 3330909266
For providers: +44 (0) 3330909277
The Provider Support Workshops are safe spaces for abortion providers to explore the rewards and challenges of their work, including the emotional aspects of their work and the possible impact of abortion-related stigma on their wellbeing. The workshops aim to affirm the value of abortion providers, reinforce their commitment to abortion care, support connections with colleagues, troubleshoot areas of difficulty at work, as well as improve the general wellbeing of participants.
Workshops are tailored, as required, from one stand-alone 3-hour session to a series of four weekly/monthly workshops. ‘Abortion Talk’ also offers 1-day sessions and residential programmes (COVID permitting).
For further information visit www.abortiontalk.com or e-mail info@abortiontalk.com
Note on the Author
Kellie O’Dowd is Programme Manager with ‘Abortion Talk’. She co-chaired the Northern Irish abortion activist group, Alliance for Choice (2010–2019). She has written academically on the issue of abortion and best practice strategies when working in morally conservative settings.