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Abortion is healthcare, not a moral issue. Patient safety depends on healthcare privacy

Published 10 November 2022

Recent news that Medibank customers’ private data, including their use of abortion services, has been published on the dark web by hackers risks the safety of abortion patients.There is already too much stigma around abortion, which is a safe and legal medical procedure in Australia, said Carolyn Mogharbel, Acting CEO of Women’s Health Victoria. To conflate abortion with moral values just increases stigma and could discourage pregnant people from seeking this common medical procedure, accessed by 1 in 4 Australian women.  

Over 600 calls are made every month, the majority from abortion seekers, to 1800 My Options – a sexual and reproductive health phoneline and information service of Women’s Health Victoria.A key concern of abortion seekers is privacy and confidentiality, and this is often a matter of safety, Mogharbel said. All people seeking healthcare should be able to be confident in the privacy of their information. For people experiencing family violence, very young people, or those facing religious or cultural considerations, there is real danger due to this information being leaked.

Citation:

Women's Health Victoria (2022) Abortion is healthcare, not a moral issue. Patient safety depends on healthcare privacy. Women's Health Victoria Media Release. 2022 (Nov 10).

1800 My Options Abortion Media Release Reproductive Rights Sexual and Reproduction Health

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Acknowledgement of Country

Women’s Health Victoria acknowledges and pays our respects to the Traditional Owners of the land that our offices are situated on, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.

As a statewide organisation, we also acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands and water across Victoria. We pay our respects to them, their cultures and their Elders past and present.

Read more about our Reconciliation Action Plan

Our Commitment to Gender Diversity and Inclusion

Women’s Health Victoria’s focus is women (cis and trans inclusive) and gender-diverse people. We address feminist health issues and are committed to supporting all people impacted by gender inequity who can benefit from our work. As a proud intersectional feminist organisation, Women’s Health Victoria is working towards meaningful inclusivity, guided by and supporting people who identify as women, trans, intersex and gender diverse.

Read about our commitment