Katherine O’Brien, BPAS Associate Director of Campaigns and Communications:
“Google has committed to categorising results pages of crisis pregnancy centres to differentiate these organisations from healthcare providers in the US. This investigation clearly demonstrates that the company needs amend the current listings system here in the UK to prevent women seeking abortion care from being intercepted by biased, ideologically-driven crisis pregnancy centres in this country.
We are not opposed to the principal of anti-choice organisations offering services to women who wish to seek out their advice. However, we are opposed to the tactics these groups employ in order to lure in pregnant women who are trying to access impartial medical care.
We know that many of these organisations will give women inaccurate and potentially harmful information, for example telling them that abortion causes breast-cancer, alcohol dependency, and will prevent them from loving their children. Previous research has found that these organisations target young and vulnerable women who may have little knowledge of where to go to get good quality information and support.
We urge Google to take action as a matter of urgency.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact Katherine O’Brien, BPAS Associate Director of Campaigns and Communications, on katherine.o’brien@bpas.org or 07881 265276.
About BPAS
BPAS is a charity that sees over 100,000 women a year for reproductive healthcare services including pregnancy counselling, abortion care, miscarriage management and contraception at clinics across Great Britain. It supports and advocates for reproductive choice. BPAS also runs the Centre for Reproductive Research and Communication, which seeks to develop and deliver a research agenda that furthers women’s access to evidence-based reproductive healthcare, driven by an understanding of women’s perspectives and needs. You can find out more here: https://www.bpas.org/get-involved/centre-for-reproductive-research-communication/
In 2021, BPAS launched BPAS Fertility, England’s first not-for-profit fertility service, to provide ethical, evidence-based, person-centred care that supports patients. We provide a safe, high-quality, and accessible service, without profiteering from patients. Our service gives those ineligible for NHS funding an affordable option to access the care they need.