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How Can a State Control Swallowing? The Home Use of Abortion Pills in Ireland

Sheldon, Sally (2018) How Can a State Control Swallowing? The Home Use of Abortion Pills in Ireland. Reproductive Health Matters, 24 (48). pp. 90-101. ISSN 0968-8080. (doi:10.1016/j.rhm.2016.10.002) (KAR id:61053)

Abstract

Evidence suggests that there is widespread home use of abortion pills in Ireland and that ending a pregnancy in this way is potentially safer than the alternatives available to many women. This paper argues that there is a strong case for women with unwanted pregnancies to be offered truthful and objective information regarding the use of abortion pills by trusted local professionals and, further, that this is possible within existing law. A move in this direction would not, however, negate the need for legal reform to address the fundamental moral incoherence of a law that treats women who terminate pregnancies within Ireland as criminals but those who travel to access services overseas as victims in need of support. In support of these arguments, the paper draws on both library research and a small number of interviews with government officials, service providers and activists

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.rhm.2016.10.002
Subjects: K Law > K Law (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > Kent Law School
Depositing User: Sian Robertson
Date Deposited: 07 Apr 2017 10:19 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Dec 2022 06:06 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/61053 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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