Pro-life UK woman faces trial for offering "harmless chat" outside abortion center

Livia Tossici-Bolt, 62, from Bournemouth, is facing trial following charges relating to her offer of a conversation in a “buffer zone” nearby an abortion facility.

The retired medical scientist held a sign reading “here to talk, if you want to” near the abortion facility. While she held the sign, several individuals did approach Livia to discuss a variety of issues they were facing in their lives.

Local authorities confronted Livia, alleging that she had breached a local abortion “buffer zone” or so-called PSPO (Public Space Protection Order), which bans expression of approval or disapproval of abortion. They issued a Fixed Penalty Notice, which Livia refused to pay, on the grounds she did not breach the terms of the PSPO and has the right, protected under Article 10 of the Human Rights Act, to offer consensual conversations.

The Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council have proceeded to charge Livia, who will be tried at Poole Magistrates’ Court... ADF UK is supporting her legal defence...

Commenting on the case, Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF UK, supporting Livia’s defence, said:

The right to free speech includes the right to receive and impart information and ideas. Under far-reaching and vaguely-written rules, we have seen volunteers like Livia criminalized simply for offering conversations; and others dragged through courts for praying, even silently, in their minds.

The principle of freedom of thought and speech must be defended both within and outside “buffer zones.” It’s unthinkable that as real crime is mounting, policing time and resources are being expended on peaceful individuals like Livia who simply and peacefully offered conversations.