Reducing the Harms Associated with Conscientious Objection to Abortion

• Louise Keogh

  Professor

  l.keogh@unimelb.edu.au
  03 8344 0692

Project Details

This research project aims to critically evaluate the regulation of conscientious objection to abortion. A range of state-based laws regulate this practice in Australia, and there is evidence that all result in inequitable access, harms to abortion seekers and lack clarity for abortion providers. The project will critically evaluate the legal and regulatory options for managing conscientious objection and interview key interest-holders in the regulation of conscientious objection. Expected outcomes are world first evidence on practice, progress towards effective regulation, and reduced harms for abortion seekers.

Researchers

Professor Louise Keogh

Dr Bronwen Merner

Ms Casey Haining

Collaborators

Professor Lindy Willmott, Queensland University of Technology

Professor Julian Savulescu, University of Melbourne and National University of Singapore

Funding

Australian Research Council Discovery Grant number 106166 (2021 – 2024)

Research Publications

Giubilini, A, Schuklenk, U., Minerva, F., Savulescu, J. (2025) Rethinking Conscientious Objection in Health Care. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Merner, B., Haining, C. M., Willmott, L., Savulescu, J., & Keogh, L. A. (2024). Health providers’ reasons for participating in abortion care: A scoping review. Women’s Health, 20. https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057241233124

Merner, B., Haining, C., Willmott, L., Savulescu, J., & Keogh, L. (2023). Institutional objection to abortion: A mixed-methods narrative review. Women’s Health, 19. https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057231152373

Haining CM, Bowman-Smart H, O'Rourke A, de Crespigny L, Keogh LA, Savulescu J. (2023). The 'Institutional Lottery': Institutional variation in the processes involved in accessing late abortion in Victoria, Australia. Womens Stud Int Forum, 101: 102822 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2023.102822

Haining, C., Willmott, L., Keogh, L., & White, B. (2022). Abortion Law in Australia: Conscientious Objection and Implications for Access. Monash University Law Review. https://doi.org/10.26180/21606360

Haining, C., Keogh, L., & Savulescu, J. (2022). The Unethical Texas Heartbeat Law. Prenatal Diagnosis, 42(5). https://doi.org/10.1002/pd.6136

Davis, J. M., Haining, C. M., & Keogh, L. A. (2022). A narrative literature review of the impact of conscientious objection by health professionals on women’s access to abortion worldwide 2013-2021. GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH, 17(9). https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2021.2020318

Keogh, L. A., Gillam, L., Bismark, M., McNamee, K., Webster, A., Bayly, C., & Newton, D. (2019). Conscientious objection to abortion, the law and its implementation in Victoria, Australia: perspectives of abortion service providers. BMC MEDICAL ETHICS, 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-019-0346-1

Keogh, L., Newton, D., Bayly, C., McNamee, K., Hardiman, A., Webster, A., & Bismark, M. (2017). Intended and unintended consequences of abortion law reform: Perspectives of abortion experts in Victoria, Australia. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, 43(1). https://doi.org/10.1136/jfprhc-2016-101541