Research into protests and vigils that take place outside clinics and hospitals offering abortion care

Chapter six: Data on prevalence

6.1. Introduction

This section contains a summary of data identified through social media posts as well as a summary of incidents reported to Police Scotland. This data analysis was undertaken due to the low response rate to the short prevalence survey by NHS sites. The information contained in this section on the prevalence and scale of protest and vigil activity should be considered as indicative, rather than being a definitive picture of protest and vigil activity.

6.2. Methodology

Analysis of social media posts between the 1 January to the 31 July 2023 was undertaken to identify protest and vigil activity in Scotland. This has included trawls of social media posts documenting protests or vigils that have occurred outside of healthcare facilities providing abortion care during this time. Posts which have been posted in real-time, or close to real-time by individuals, counter-protest groups or ‘pro-choice’ groups have been included.

In addition to social media posts, Rocket Science received data from Police Scotland on reported incidents of public demonstrations, hate crime or disturbances associated with either vigils or protests, and occurring within the vicinity of clinics and hospitals that provide abortion healthcare, reported to them between March 2022 and March 2024.

6.3. Results from social media posts

Between 1 January and 31 July 2023, 30 vigils/protests were identified from 7 different sources. The vast majority (93%, n=28) of these occurred outside of Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Given the limitations of this approach, this may represent an under-representation. However, this equates to, on average, one protest/vigil occurring every seven days in 2023. 60% of these documented activities took place during Lent and 38% occurred on a Tuesday.

From analysis of the pictures included within posts, the mean average of people in attendance at protests/vigils is 11, (range 2 to 76, median average=4, modal average=3).

6.4. Police Scotland Data

In addition to data identified through social media posts, Rocket Science received data from Police Scotland on incidents reported between March 2022 and March 2024. A total of 22 incidents were reported during this period across four locations.

These locations were Sandyford Sexual Health Service, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Chalmers Sexual Health Clinic. The largest proportion took place at Sandyford Sexual Health Service, with 8 incidences over the two-year period.

Of the five types of incidences reported, the largest percentage were Public Demonstrations at 27% (n=6) and the smallest Hate Crimes at 9% (n=2).

Rates of incidences have fluctuated over time, with certain months being particularly active. In particular, March saw incidences reported in 2022, 2023 and 2024. It is likely that this is associated with Lent.

In addition to the social media data, suggesting 60 protests/vigils per year (pro-rata for 2023), and Police Scotland data, suggesting 7 incidents in 2023, our observations data included 12 protests/vigils in 2023, and the NHS staff survey on prevalence indicates 5 incidents in 2023. It must be acknowledged that some of these protests/vigils could be double counted, and this data on prevalence may show an incomplete picture. However, it does highlight that protests/vigils are taking place at regular intervals.