As stated on the student union’s website: “We exist so that all students can have the best possible time while they are at Bristol”. However, the disgraceful presence of the Pro-Life Feminist Society is a complete contradiction of this statement. Students at the university must have the right to a safe abortion and the university must support them in their decision. While there is a need for free speech and debate, this society (backed by the student union) projects a view that will ultimately put vulnerable people at risk. The existence of this society not only makes the university an unsafe place for those who may be going through this difficult experience, but the society amplifies voices that will make other students feel vulnerable. The university must be a place where those feel protected, not attacked. This society projects not only the dangerous “pro-life” message, but voices messages of transphobia - women are not the only people who might need an abortion in their lifetime.

According to the World Health Organisation:

“When women with unwanted pregnancies do not have access to safe abortion, they often resort to unsafe abortion...Unsafe abortion can lead to immediate health risks – including death – as well as long-term complications, affecting women’s physical and mental health and well-being throughout her life-course. It also has financial implications for women and communities.”

We demand that the University of Bristol protects all students by refusing to enable this dangerous and damaging society. Protecting people who may need an abortion and providing mental health and well-being support cannot exist with the Pro Life Feminist Society in existence.

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Yours sincerely 

Misha Emily Coggins - 2nd year Politics and International Relations at the University of Bristol