Summary

My name is Katie. During lockdown, I was prescribed an abortion over the phone by an NHS provider, and sent pills by post. My body showed no symptoms, so I had no way of knowing I was far more pregnant than just six weeks. I gave birth to a dead baby, alone in my bathroom. Instead of receiving support for my trauma, I was charged with procuring poison to induce miscarriage.

Please help me to afford my £100,000 legal fees so I can defend myself simply for having a prescribed abortion – and get justice for my case. Without your help, I could face prison.

My story

During lockdown, I took a pregnancy test as a precaution. I’d been told that having children would likely be impossible for me because of an endometriosis diagnosis, along with previous surgeries on my cervix. I didn’t expect it to be positive but I wanted to make sure.

It was positive and I was surprised, but immediately knew that I wanted an abortion. I love children but never wanted any of my own.

My body was showing no signs of pregnancy. I had no baby bump and my dress size stayed the same. Neither could I rely on my periods as a sign – they’re always irregular because of my endometriosis.

Since I’d had sex a few weeks prior to the test and had no symptoms of pregnancy, I concluded that I must be under 10 weeks pregnant and I obtained an abortion from an NHS provider.

I took the medication and for 12 hours, nothing happened. I felt like they weren’t working and I knew that sometimes this can occur. But then suddenly I felt like I needed to go to the toilet and I ended up giving birth to a dead baby, alone in my bathroom.

To my horror, I realised I was much further along in my pregnancy than I could possibly have known. I have no words to describe what I went through – nothing can prepare you for what it’s like to have an abortion go terribly wrong like that or the journey to the hospital.

I was terrified and didn’t know what to say or do. I went into shock. Doctors rushed me into surgery to remove the placenta and I could have died. They told me I’d be able to go home in the morning but instead, the midwife called the police.

Two police officers arrived – a man and a woman – they sat in my room while I was recovering. I was given no choice in this and I was afraid.

The police officers even forced me to keep the door open when I used the toilet. It was like a nightmare. I was suffering from trauma and felt so violated.

Just 48 hours after surgery, I was deemed well enough to be arrested on suspicion of baby destruction. The police took me to the police station and this meant that I was delayed in receiving vital anti-clotting medication from the hospital.

They interrogated me for 24 hours and when my anti-clotting medication finally arrived, it was several hours before the police allowed me to to see an onsite nurse to be injected.

My laptop and phone were seized and remained in the system for several years, during which time I remained under investigation – and I was told this could last for an indefinite period.

My trial date is set for later this year. I’ve already spent £50,000 in legal fees and I need to find £100,000 more to fund my trial and finally get justice. But this experience has cost me so much more than money.

I have post-traumatic stress disorder, my mental health has been completely destroyed and I will never be the same woman again. But I’m determined to fight on, not just for myself but for all women who find themselves in my situation.

No woman should face prison for having an abortion. Your urgent contribution today will help me afford my fees and defend myself – thank you for your generosity. Please help me raise awareness by sharing this page on social media, tagging your post: #notacrime.

If the funds raised exceed my goal – or are not needed because my case is dropped – your donation will go towards helping other women in my situation. You can find details below.

Abortion is still illegal in the UK - Help me demand a change in law.

Right now, the law merely gives exemption from prosecution for having an abortion in certain situations. For exemption, two doctors must agree it would be risky for the mental or physical health of the woman if she continues with her pregnancy.

Even then, it’s no guarantee. My case is proof of that.

In recent years, there’s been a surge in investigations for suspected abortion, following a pregnancy loss. Some of these women experienced a pregnancy that ended through natural causes. Some, like me, took abortion medication from an NHS provider.

Other women found themselves in such desperate situations, they got their medication from the internet. These women deserve our compassion and understanding, not prosecution.

Most shockingly of all, one of the individuals placed under prolonged investigation by the police was a 15-year-old girl who had a miscarriage.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) support a change in the UK abortion law. You can find their position statement here.

The current outdated Victorian law reduces all women to second-class citizens. The prosecution of women for having an abortion or suffering a miscarriage has no place in our society. We must stand against it. Please write to your MP or contact them on social media. #notacrime

There is no sufficient legal aid for women like me

I’m not wealthy and have a mid-level job in a public service organisation. I have no way of affording my legal fees and any legal aid I'm entitled to won't cover my fees. I urgently need to fund my costs and anything you can give will make a huge difference.

Other women who, like me, have been investigated or charged, have been plunged into serious debt – even when their cases did not proceed to trial. Often, legal aid isn’t made available until a case is taken to the Crown Court. It can take years for this to happen, with cost of legal advice mounting.

Even where legal aid is available, it’s often funded by sacrificing 90% of disposable income – there have been cases where women like me have been forced to move back in with their parents and where normal life is impossible. This is discriminatory and unfair.

Creating a funding pot for women who are being prosecuted

I hope that Parliament will vote to change the law and remove all women from the threat of prosecution. I also hope that all our cases are dropped or acquitted.

In the event that my case is dropped and I no longer need funding – or that we exceed my goal – my team will use the surplus money to refund the contributions already made by other women in my situation.

Please donate today to help me win my case and stop me going to prison. And after your kind donation, please share this page on your social media channels and write to your MP for a change in the law #notacrime.

How the funds will be managed

The money will be paid directly to Right to Equality. After my case is funded, they will then make any excess available to other women in my situation. You can find details towards the end of my page.

My legal team

Fiona Horlick KC will lead my legal team. Before her elevation to silk, Fiona was consistently ranked as a Band 1 leading junior in both Chambers & Partners and Legal 500. She’s now a respected New Silk. She has exceptional advocacy skills, an in-depth knowledge of the health profession and cases involving health professionals – and an unwavering determination to succeed.

Where can I get more information?

Our cases have been widely reported in the media. Some good sources to search are:

BBC File on 4 2024
BBC News 2024 More women investigated for illegal terminations 
British Pregnancy Advisory Services (BPAS) Time to Act

Thank you for your donation today and for your support. Another powerful way to help me is by sharing this page on your social media channels, #notacrime.