I thought I would take some time to compile all the information I gathered on how staff at abortion clinics cope with the protesters they experience outside, and what they should do if they feel distressed.
Firstly after speaking with Rachael Clarke she explained that many members of staff become immune to the protesters because it almost becomes a fact of everyday life.
Rachael said:
"It's only when you take a step back and ask them to really write down the impacted it's had on how they do their job and how they live their lives around work, that they really begin to realise the kind of impact that the protesters have."
Staff are not encouraged to engage with protesters and are told to never feel as though they are putting themselves in danger by doing so. If they are worried by what is happening outside their clinic then the correct protocol to follow is to ring the police first.
"Staff are not there to protect women beyond their healthcare needs"
said Rachael during the interview.
She further explains that for the staff who are upset, they have a robust management system where they can go and talk to their managers and report incidents which they find upsetting or distressing.
From speaking with multiple members of staff who work in the termination sector it has become clear that the only course of action they can take to stop protesters outside, is to push for a buffer zone.
With protests on the rise across the country staff feel that these are essential for providing a safe and confidential service providing environment.
Click below to hear how protesters can affect staff members who have never experienced this activity before.
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