Heather Bellamy spoke with Leonora Blackhall from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children

Leonora Blackhall

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children exists to defend and promote the existence and value of human life from the moment of conception. Having attended the Freshers' Fayre at Dundee University since 2005, where they distributed literature, they have now been banned from attending by this year's organisers, the Dundee University Students' Association. The Association voted to refuse the Society access unanimously. To discuss this Heather Bellamy spoke with Leonora Blackhall from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children.

Heather: So you've been having a stand at the Freshers' Fayre for years. What activity took place on your stands on previous occasions?

Leonora: The stall was there for eight years and it was there to provide factual information on the development of the unborn child and offer real help to women who may find themselves in crisis pregnancy situations. They included showing foetal models on the stall and they had helpline numbers for those in a crisis pregnancy situation and they gave the number for ARCH, the Abortion Recovery Care and Helpline, who offer counselling for post-abortive women and men.

Heather: And what response did you have from students on previous years to your exhibition stand?

Leonora: It was always quite positive. Obviously with any kind of contentious issue you get people who don't want to listen to you, or maybe don't agree with what you've got to say - but the object of the Freshers' Fayre is to give a wide array of viewpoints, so that students can make up their own minds about things - and people were interested in listening to more than one side of a story.

Heather: The Students' Association has accused you of engaging in extreme behaviour at past Freshers' Fayres. What do they mean by 'extreme behaviour' and what has your response been to this accusation?

Leonora: Well in fact the DUSA haven't provided any evidence or examples, so it actually makes any kind of formal response difficult.

Heather: So you're unaware of what they mean by 'extreme behaviour'?

Leonora: Yes.

Heather: So when you go to these events what is your aim?

Leonora: When we attend, our aim is to show the humanity of the unborn child and to offer factual information about the development of the baby in the womb, so education is the main purpose. Also the reality is that many students will find themselves in crisis pregnancies and need somewhere to turn to. Our presence at the University means girls and couples in this situation will know who to turn to, who will offer real help and support.

Heather: Going back to the Dundee University Students' Association, the other issue that they had with you was they said your campaigns are contrary to their constitution. Again, do you have any idea what campaigns they're referring to and what about them is contrary to their constitution?

Leonora: No and I've had a look at their constitution - but actually it's not relevant to the issue of them banning us at the Freshers' Fayre because the stall we had, as I said, only focused on abortion, crisis pregnancy and counselling; there was no information of any of SPUC's other campaigns on the stall.

Heather: So have you pursued the University for clarification and more information?