An Analysis of Criminalising Abortion and Its Social Harm in NI

This essay delves into the contentious issue of criminalising abortion in Northern Ireland, examining the legal framework and its social consequences. It highlights the restrictive nature of the laws, rooted in the 1861 Offenses against the Person Act, and contrasts them with the Abortion Act of 1967 in other parts of the UK. The paper explores the social harm caused by these restrictions, including the impact on women's health, the rise of illegal abortions, and the potential for increased maternal mortality. It reviews existing literature and data, illustrating how criminalisation does not reduce abortion rates but instead increases the risks and dangers associated with the procedure. The essay also touches on the ethical considerations and the impact on women who are physically, mentally ill or impoverished, arguing for a reassessment of the current laws to protect women's rights and well-being.