This means that seeing anti-abortion protests can retraumatise patients, even outside the context of accessing abortion or related services. o Two participants reported re-traumatisation and anxiety, and felt it tainted the experience when attending maternity services for another later pregnancy. o One participant reported Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder following on from numerous visits to maternity and abortion services in traumatic circumstances. o One participant reported re-traumatisation, and self-imposed delay as a result, in seeking a subsequent abortion. o One participant reported having to ask a friend to scope out access routes in advance of subsequent appointments to try and avoid protestors at subsequent appointments as they felt they were unable to go through the same experience again. 1 o One participant reported that the experience with protests exacerbated mental health issues during subsequent pregnancies – causing feelings of guilt and shame, and fear of “retribution”. • It was also noted that abortion services work hard to make sure individuals feel safe, supported and informed, which is all felt to be negated by the protests outside. • One participant stated their reason for speaking to the Committee, and showing their support of the Bill, was to try and prevent others from experiencing the same trauma they did.