UK: Backlash grows as police target women after pregnancy loss
11 Jun 2025
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Rights at stake and state’s obligations
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The form of backlash
In the United Kingdom, new guidance issued by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) outlines procedures for conducting “child death investigations.” Under these rules, police may examine women’s private messages, delivered packages, and fertility app data if they have experienced a miscarriage or a late-term birth.
This approach relies on outdated criminal laws that still consider abortion a punishable offense unless approved by two doctors for medical reasons. While abortion pills can now be ordered, the legal framework remains unclear, placing many women in a legally uncertain and vulnerable position.
This guidance poses a serious threat to reproductive rights. The state is no longer simply regulating women’s bodies; it is intruding into their personal lives, medical histories, and moments of grief. Hospitals, once seen as places of care and safety, are increasingly viewed with fear and suspicion. Some women may now avoid seeking medical help after a miscarriage for fear of being investigated, putting their health and even their lives at risk. This marks a dangerous backlash against reproductive freedoms and rights.
See : Herstory, Abortion Rights