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Type | Charitable organisation |
---|---|
Founded | 1970 |
Founder | |
Headquarters | Tancred Close, , |
Website | lifecharity.org.uk |
Life is a major UK-based anti-abortion charity.
History
Professor Jack Scarisbrick and his wife Nuala founded the organisation in 1970 in response to the Abortion Act 1967, which greatly extended access to legal abortion in the United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland, where it was illegal until 2020).[1] Life was the second major anti-abortion charity to be formed in the UK, and was created in response to what was seen as an insufficiently absolutist oppositon to abortion[2] by SPUC; with breakaway members of SPUC aiming to balance total oppositon to abortion with the provision of practical support; recognising the realities of a crisis pregnancy[3] and aiming at "the conversion of women with abortion on their mind".[4] Although not aCatholic or indeed religious charity, Life mainly drew upon Catholic and evangelical support.[5]
In 1993 Life opposed experimentation based on the cloning of embryos.[6]
In 2004 the charity faced a financial crisis after its grant application to the government was rejected.[7]
In 2019 Life expressed opposition to the Royal College of General Practitioners decision to support the decriminalisation of abortion.[8]
Controversies
In 2011, the Life telephone advice line and some Life Care Centres were criticised for providing inaccurate information about abortion, and for using emotive language.[9] In response to the story, Life said that it had reviewed many of its procedures and protocols.[10]
In May 2011 the Conservative government caused controversy when it appointed Life, which stated that its services included counselling and information on pregnancy and adoption, to its advisory group the Sexual Health Forum, replacing the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS). Ann Furedi, the chief executive of BPAS, said: "We find it puzzling that the Department of Health would want a group that is opposed to abortion and provides no sexual health services on its sexual health forum."[11] The Liberal Democrat's Evan Harris opposed the organisation's inclusion on the forum. [12]
In 2014 Oxford University student union banned the charity from advertising its services at Oxford University following a complaint that its counselling and publicity were directive. In response the charity said that it offered non-directive skilled listening rather than advice.[13]
Activities
As of 2022 the charity offers counselling and support on pregnancy and pregnancy loss; practical support for women made homeless by pregnancy; education on abortion, embryology, sex and relationships; and fertility treatments. For the year ended June 2021 the charity had a turnover of £3.4 million.[14]
References
- ^ Gray, Freddy (21 September 2007). "I am a rather unsubtle sort of chap". Catholic Herald. p. 7. Archived from the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
- ^ ABORTION AND PROTECTION OF THE HUMAN FETUS: LEGAL ABORTION AND PROTECTION OF THE HUMAN FETUS: LEGAL PROBLEMS IN A CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE. Edited by S.J. Frankowski and G.F. Cole. Boston: Martinus Nijhoff. 1987, page 108
- ^ The Abortion Act 1967, a biography of a UK law; Cambridge University Press, 2023, p.49
- ^ The Anti-Abortion Campaign in England 1966-1989, Olivia Dee, Routledge, 2019
- ^ Banchoff, Thomas (15 May 2011). Embryo Politics: Ethics and Policy in Atlantic Democracies. Cornell University Press. p. 87. ISBN 978-0-8014-6107-1.
- ^ Inside the Vatican, Vatican Press, Volume 10, 1993, page 53.[[1]]
- ^ https://reader.exacteditions.com/magazines/1288/search?public=0&pt=a&ts=&from=&to=&stack=&q=%22anti-abortion+charity+life%22
- ^ https://reader.exacteditions.com/magazines/1288/search?public=0&pt=a&ts=&from=&to=&stack=&q=%22anti-abortion+charity+life%22
- ^ Quinn, Ben (2 August 2011). "Abortion: pregnancy counselling centres found wanting". The Guardian.
- ^ "Response to Guardian story on Crisis Pregnancy Care Services". Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
- ^ Quinn, Ben (24 May 2011). "Anti-abortion group drafted in as sexual health adviser to government". The Guardian.
- ^ "Anti-abortion group joins government health forum". The Independent. 25 May 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/06/04/anti-abortion-charity-life-banned-advert-oxford-university_n_5443730.html
- ^ https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4044363