Client case studies

Every year we directly help hundreds of people access the abortions they need, with information, support with logistics and financial assistance. The Abortion Without Borders initiative has helped more than 30,000 women from Poland access abortions since December 2019. The case studies below are just some examples of how we’ve helped (names and identifying information have been removed). If you need help, find out more here.

Republic of Ireland

I am emailing from the Republic of Ireland because I need to go to England to have an abortion but I do not have the money to do so. I am really in need of some assistance as I am very stuck since I lost my job due to Covid and me and my partner are both struggling for money. My parents know but do not support what I am doing so they won’t help at all.

This is not the life I want for myself and my child. Please let me know if I have any options to terminate anywhere in Europe. I’m scared and confused and looking for help. I know it’s very late and way past viability of the pregnancy, but every prognosis I am getting is worse than the previous one.

Northern Ireland

“Hi, I am contacting regarding my sister who is currently in Northern Ireland and has found herself in a difficult situation and is looking to have an abortion. I don’t really know where to start, she’s 8 weeks and looking to come to England to have the abortion but will travel anywhere. Do you know how you go about arranging one? Thanks so much for any help you can give.”

Malta

Considering situation with Covid-19, me and my partner are both trapped in this country without the jobs we came here for. We are now stuck. I’m pregnant I’m not sure how long, maybe 9-10 weeks, but we are not able to keep this baby since we have no idea how long we will stay without job. This was a bad way to find out there is no abortion in Malta.

“Please I am pregnant and I need to get help in my pregnancy. It is not possible for me to keep it.” This is the email that began a five week ordeal for a woman living in Malta, who travelled to England once and was turned away for having anaemia and a previous c-section. She then travelled a second time to a different UK clinic where, in the end and with a total of 5 days in England for a 10 minute procedure, she was able to receive the care she needed, with ASN’s support.

Gibraltar

“I have been living in Gibraltar, and am pregnant. I am wondering if you can help with where I can acquire some sort of abortion service as I have been searching online and there does not seem to be any options in Gibraltar for someone who is at my gestation. Given my financial situation I can’t afford to fly elsewhere.”

Poland

“I am 15 weeks pregnant. During a visit to the gynaecologist I was told the foetus most probably has Trisomy 18 or 13. Until recently I thought I would undergo a termination procedure in Poland. Now I’m lost in all this. I don’t know what will happen to me next. I feel helpless in the situation that the “government” has created for us.”

“I need your help to organise a trip to the Netherlands to have an abortion. I have made this decision after a long time of reflection. My situation is very complicated, I have no support from anyone, I do not have a car and will have to travel by bus or other public transport. I know that after my return I will have to quarantine in Poland.  If possible, I would need support to arrange an appointment and an interpreter on site at the clinic. My English language is unfortunately at a basic level. Can you help me?”

“We would like to thank you sincerely for your indescribably great help and kindness… the procedure and everything connected with it went smoothly and successfully. All your help and support, financial, mental, organisational and much more was incredible. I don’t want to write that our pregnancy was a matter of life and death, but actually it was. You gave us a chance for further life. I don’t know what else to say, we are still so shocked and grateful that there is still such a thing as genuine, honest kindness and selflessness “just like that” in this world, and that we have experienced it in such a colossal measure from you.”