WORDS BY TAHLIA DILBEROVIC.

One year ago in March 2021, South Australia decided to join their more civilised counterparts and finally decriminalise abortion. This change meant that for the first time in decades people would not be treated like criminals for accessing vital healthcare.

Decriminalisation brought about many logistical changes as well – abortion shall now be allowed on demand until 22 weeks and 6 days without the approval of two doctors; patients would be able to access medical abortions via telehealth; abortions would be provided outside of hospitals; and patients would no longer need to be residents of SA for more than two months in order to access healthcare. Doctors who conscientiously objected to abortion would also finally be required to actually do their jobs and provide referrals if they did not wish to provide the procedure themselves.

Or at least, these changes were meant to happen.