By Ashley Murphy

SAFE access zones have been put in place around Scotland from today (September 24) preventing anti-abortion protestors demonstrating outside public clinics.

The legal landmark follows Green MSP Gillian Mackay’s Bill, Stopping protestors from gathering within 200m (656ft) of Scottish Clinics and hospitals.

The law aims to prevent unwanted harassment of patients and doctors who work on the hospital grounds and allow them to work without being afflicted or triggered in any way, which is now considered a criminal offence.

Any person who breaks the Safe Access Zone law can be fined up to £10,000 or receive an unlimited amount in more serious cases. Police Scotland will be responsible for enforcing the legislation.

Women have had to share their traumatising stories with numerous people in order to not just raise awareness, but to get the message across that people need to take accountability, and face their mistakes, no matter what their views and opinions are, as shared with the BBC.

This law, passed in June, with 118 other members of the chamber, will include Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, in Glasgow, The Royal Infirmary, in Edinburgh, and, Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. With a similar legislation that will come into force in England and Wales on the 31 October.

Many of the people who were protesting during this period were approached for comment regarding their views and reasons for being there, but every protestor declined to answer.

UWS News have yet to hear from the Back Off Scotland campaign group who Green Party MSP Gillian Mackay has worked closely with for their input on the new legislation which they have worked tirelessly to put in place.