Asafe access zone (SAZ) is a form oflegal protection of access to abortion and is a specified distance around a reproductive healthcare clinic or service in which anti-abortion picketers cannot demonstrate, stand or communicate with patients and/or staff that enter and exit the reproductive facility. This helps to prevent pregnant girls and women that are seeking abortion services from being intimidated and harassed by anti-abortion picketers. In most states in Australia, safe access zones are an area of 150 metres (492 feet) around the entire reproductive health facility. Safe access zones are a legislative matter, meaning laws allowing safe access zones are necessary.
As of 12 August 2021[update],[1] all states and territories in Australia have safe access zones in place.[2]Western Australia was the last state to implement safe access zones.
A safe access zone may be referred to as an exclusion zone.[3] As of 2024, every nation of theUnited Kingdom had implemented them, following votes in 2023 (Northern Ireland andEngland and Wales), andScotland (2024).
There arelegal protections of access to abortion in other countries.