1 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS THURSDAY 3 AUGUST

7.30 - 8.15AM REGISTRATION AND TEA + COFFEE

8.15 - 10.00AM CONFERENCE OPENING AND FIRST PLENARY: GRAND BALLROOM REFORM

SONGWOMAN MAROOCHY WELCOME TO COUNTRY of the Turrbal people

JACKIE TRAD MP OFFICIAL CONFERENCE OPENING Deputy Premier of

MICHELLE THOMPSON PRINCIPAL SPONSOR WELCOME CEO, Marie Stopes International

JANE CARO KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Author, broadcaster and advertising writer Jane Caro will discuss why she is passionate about the right to choose and why women need to keep shouting about their .

DR SUZANNE BELTON PLENARY: ABORTION LAW REFORM WHATRU4NT? campaign, In March 2017, significant reforms to abortion law were passed in the Northern Territory, allowing for expanded access and greater clarity. The first half of this year also saw PROFESSOR HEATHER DOUGLAS attempts to decriminalise and falter. This panel TC Beirne School of Law, plenary session will discuss the recent success in the Northern Territory, and the ongoing University of Queensland efforts in Queensland and New South Wales, with experts from each of those jurisdictions.

JULIE HAMBLIN SESSION CHAIR: HWL Ebsworth Lawyers, AMANDA BRADLEY New South Wales Manager, Children by Choice

10.00 - 10.30AM MORNING TEA

10.30AM - 12.00PM CONCURRENT SESSIONS

10.30 - 11.15 BRANKA BOGDAN ABORTION IN THE CONTEXT OF MIGRATION

Culturally responsive health supports our clinical approaches to be accurate, accessible and sustainable. This workshop will explore abortion accessibility within Australian contexts of migration that may be student, visitor, professional, familial, coerced and/or forced. An interactive and participatory format will encourage knowledge transfer and exchange.

This workshop will build on and expand the strengths of a two day symposium on Migrant WORKSHOPS *LTD CAPACITY WORKSHOPS *LTD and Refugee Women’s Reproductive and Sexual Health, held on the 31 July and 1 August. This workshop will provide an overview of the symposium outcomes, strategy and recommendations for action. Together participants will unpack those recommendations in the context of abortion, and see how, where and when they can be applied to our current clinical, health promotion and advocacy practice. We will strategise how to challenge and prevent practitioner and community myths and misconceptions. Participants will workshop BOARDROOM 1: and discuss opportunities to plan for future policy, programs and action. 2 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS 11:15-12:00 * NIKKI WHITMORE LGBTIQ AFFIRMING PRACTICE IN REPRODUCTIVE AUTONOMY + SEXUALITY EDUCATION

This presentation will consider the challenges and opportunities of LGBTIQ affirming practice as well as the impacts of heteronormativity and cisnormativity in reproductive autonomy, body autonomy and sexuality education practices.

LGBTIQ people experience direct and indirect discrimination and exclusion, which are key determinants of health. This negatively impacts their health & well-being, help-seeking and access to information about sexuality education and reproductive autonomy.

WORKSHOPS *LIMITED CAPACITY Participants will explore information and resources about sexuality education and reproductive autonomy that seeks to reflect and affirm LGBTIQ people’s bodies, genders and relationships. Participants will also spend time considering opportunities to enhance their individual and organisational approach to be more inclusive. This presentation will reflect and be inclusive of diverse queer, trans and intersex experiences and provide a space to discuss barriers and opportunities to reproductive autonomy and sexuality BOARDROOM 1: education. All are welcome to attend and participate.

10.30 - 10.45 ABORTION LAW REFORM ON THE FRONTIER: NORTHERN TERRITORY 1973, WITH DR BARBARA BAIRD SOME RESONANCES FOR 2017 DR SUZANNE BELTON In this paper we tell the history/herstory of the first abortion law reform in the NT, in 1973, in order to offer background to the achievement of further reform in the NT earlier this year. Due to the small size of the NT, and possibly its geographical isolation, there has been very little research into the in the Territory. We draw from original archival research and a small number of oral history interviews and existing secondary sources to sketch the initial reform of the criminal law achieved by feminist Legislative Councillor Ms Dawn Lawrie in 1973. Turns out that Lawrie was the first Second Wave feminist elected to an Australian parliament and this reform is the only change to abortion law that was delivered by feminist activism in the early period of liberalisation of abortion law and provision in Australia. Further, it was achieved in a parliament and a political culture dominated by white men, in a society that was arguably still a colonial frontier. The political and discursive limits of the parliament in the 1970s meant, however, that the reformed law included constraints, as well as enabling the opening up for the provision of safe, free abortion services in the Territory’s public hospitals. This quickly led to increasing numbers of abortions during the 1970s, albeit shaped by the context of the two public hospitals in the Territory. By constructing a historical account we reflect on the continuities in the possibilities for progressive change for Territorian women over a 45 year period.

10.45 - 11.00 IMPROVING ACCESS TO ABORTION IN DR BARBARA BAIRD BRIGID COOMBE By many criteria South Australia has the best abortion services in Australia. Nearly all abortions are performed in the public health sector, for free. Over half are performed at the Pregnancy Advisory Centre, a free standing clinic attached to a large public hospital that provides best practice services through a feminist framework. But the SA law, which was liberalised by a law reform passed in 1969, places increasingly anachronistic obstructions

ADMIRALTY ROOM: ABORTION LAW REFORM STREAM LAW ABORTION ROOM: ADMIRALTY on the improvement of access to abortion services. Women outside metropolitan Adelaide, and international students, are not well served and the rollout of early EMA is restricted by the legal requirement that abortions be performed in a hospital. While telemedicine is offering women in non-metropolitan locations elsewhere access to EMA, the hospital requirement means that SA women often travel to Adelaide. Further, the public provision of abortion means that providers are subject to the “guidance” of Crown Law and this often means that conservative legal interpretations prevail. Most recently the government’s restructure of the provision of health care “Transforming Health” has seen the proposed consolidation of services and threatened closure of some hospitals’ abortion lists. In this environment the SA Abortion Action Coalition (SAAAC) was formed at the end of 2015 to work towards improving access to abortion services for SA women.

This paper gives a current account of abortion services in SA and of the coalition’s strategies for change. Unlike other jurisdictions where public hospital provision is minimal,

3 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS and campaigns for decriminalisation have been frontline strategies to improve access, in SA we have a lot to lose. The paper will outline the calculations about improving access for women that shape our campaign when access is already very good, if limited and flawed in some significant aspects. It will also report on progress so far.

11.00 - 11.15 CLAIRE PULLEN ZOE’S LAW REDUX: WHERE TO FOR FOETAL AND DECRIMINALISATION?

Christian Democrat Fred Nile has persistently introduced anti-choice legislation into NSW Parliament since he began his time in that Upper House. One of his tactics was emulating the incremental victories of anti-choice politicians in the United States, but he had persistently failed through his own over-reach in this space. Foetal personhood was his tool of choice, but one wielded unsuccessfully.

This changed in 2013 when a little-known backbencher introduced another foetal personhood Bill. Using the same name – “Zoe’s Law” - as one of Nile’s previous legislative efforts, it capitalised on the tragic circumstances experienced by one of his constituents. It was drafted in such a way as to present a clear wedge for abortion law in NSW (one of the two states where abortion remains a crime) but still be defensible for both anti-choice zealots and fence-sitters alike.

This Bill failed, in no small part because of the work of a coalition of women’s, community, legal, and medical groups called “Our Bodies Our Choices” (“OBOC”), but the success of the Bill in the NSW Lower House was a reminder of the precarity of abortion and contraception access in Australia’s most populous state.

This workshop presents the background of the formation of OBOC, the work of the campaign against “Zoe’s Law”, and the critical lessons to be learned from this campaign, in a State where three abortion Bills- including yet another of Nile’s efforts - have been tabled in 2017. Drawing on the research and experience of one of the campaign co-ordinators, an anatomy of the anti-choice playbook is laid out, alongside some thoughts for the future of abortion law in Australia.

11.15 - 11.30 JENNY EJLAK ABORTION LAW REFORM: ARE WE FOCUSING TOO MUCH ON THE ISSUE AND NOT ENOUGH ON THE POLITICS?

Australia has eight sets of abortion laws and little consistency across states and territories. Some pro-active law reform processes have been successful, others less so. To get any law passed, having the numbers in parliament is crucial. In abortion law reform processes advocates focus on convincing individual MPs of the facts and evidence for a ADMIRALTY ROOM: ABORTION LAW REFORM STREAM LAW ABORTION ROOM: ADMIRALTY decriminalised model of healthcare - but MPs do not always vote according to the evidence, their votes are often swayed by internal political party machinations and personal value systems. Furthermore, even after a good legal model is in place, there can be threats to its integrity from anti-choice MPs, as has happened in , and once again the numbers are crucial for preventing regressive bills from passing. As a pro-choice community are we too focused on the issues, assuming facts and evidence will do the convincing? Do we need to focus more on getting pro-choice candidates elected to parliaments? If so, how? What other organisations would we need to join forces with to influence the makeup of our parliaments and where are the points of influence in political parties and elections? This presentation will raise questions and encourage discussion for participants to take back to their jurisdiction.

11.30 - 12.00 ANNA MCCORMACK SO YOU WANT TO BE AN ABORTION RIGHTS ACTIVIST?

The objective of this session is to provide interested people with: enough knowledge, including about some introductory skills, to become useful activists for abortion rights in Queensland. The workshop will cover the following: 1. The value of activism: What is it, what does it offer that other methods may not, how can it contribute to an outcome, what are the pitfalls of activism? 2. A brief outline of abortion politics and the struggle for abortion rights in Qld from the 1970s to the present time. 3. Introduction to a few of the skills required, including: the difference between skills and personality, identification of allies, building relationships and working to ensure collaboration; and building relationships with MPs. 4 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS 10.30 - 10.45 DR JESSICA GUNSON CONTRACEPTIVE BIOGRAPHIES AND REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE: THE VALUE OF LIFE-COURSE RESEARCH IN UNDERSTANDING LIMITED UPTAKE OF LONG ACTING REVERSIBLE CONTRACEPTION

Background: This paper contributes to an emerging body of research examining the barriers and enablers to women’s uptake of Long Acting Reversible Contraception - LARC. As in other Western countries, uptake of LARC in Australia is relatively low despite being identified by peak family planning bodies as the preferred modes to be recommended to women. This pilot study explored women’s experiences of contraception across the life- course and how these experiences shaped their views on LARC.

Methods: Twelve qualitative interviews were carried out with South Australian women aged from 23 to 48 years. Women were included if they had ever considered using LARC. Interviews took a narrative format with women asked to describe their contraceptive history and decision-making over time. Interviews were analysed using narrative thematic analysis.

Results: Our study found that women talked about particular modes of contraception as allocated to specific phases in the life-course. In particular, women told narratives of contraceptive “progression” where oral contraception (OC) was seen as a necessary precursor to LARC. Women described how social and biomedical expectations of OC as the most appropriate mode for women in their teenage years had a significant impact on their contraceptive choices at that age and beyond.

Conclusion: Our discussion responds to Jenny Higgins’ 2014 call for service provision based on “reproductive justice”. There is an acute need to focus on the variations in women’s experiences at different life stages. Clinical responses need to acknowledge women’s day-to-day priorities and how these might take precedence over what is preconceived to be appropriate or efficient for a particular age group. By taking a life-course approach that allowed women to describe their contraceptive biographies across time, these findings demonstrate how age and stage of life are critical markers of diversity among women that need to be considered in clinical practice.

10.45 - 11.00 DR GAITHRI MYLVAGANAM UNDERSTANDING OF LONG ACTING REVERSIBLE CONTRACEPTION AMONGST WOMEN PRESENTING FOR ABORTION

Background: LARCs (Long Acting Reversible Contraception) such as intrauterine devices and implants are the most cost-effective form of contraception available. However LARC uptake rates are very low in Australia and oral contraceptive pills remain the mainstay of contraceptive choice of women and provision by providers.

Aims: To explore knowledge and attitudes to LARCs (intrauterine and implant contraception) amongst women presenting for abortion and identify socio-demographic factors which

COMMODORE ROOM: UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND CONTRACEPTION STREAM AND CONTRACEPTION STREAM COMMODORE ROOM: UNPLANNED PREGNANCY may impact on their knowledge of LARCs.

Method: This is a cross sectional study which uses a questionnaire to survey women’s knowledge regarding LARCs and explore the prevalence of misconceptions which may act as barriers to their use. The voluntary, anonymous questionnaire is being offered to women who present for either medical or surgical termination at Marie Stopes Australia Clinics in Sydney and includes women from a range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. The survey has been translated into Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and Arabic to include women whose preferred language is not English.

The four page questionnaire contains items relating to common misconceptions regarding intrauterine contraception (IUC) based on a previously tested instrument, items relating to common misconceptions regarding the contraceptive implant, preferences of the above methods to the commonly used oral contraceptive pill and demographic data.

Preliminary Results: A pilot study was performed with 20 women. It had an 85% participation rate with women taking on average 5-10 minutes to complete the survey. Only a small proportion of women knew someone else who had either an IUC or implant (29% and 35% respectively) and even less knew someone who was happy with their IUC or implant (18% and 29% respectively).

5 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS For the IUC, the most common beliefs included; that it was painful to have inserted, it was only suitable for women who had children, it can get stuck inside the womb, it can move around the body and that there was a high chance it might fall out.

For the Implant, the most common beliefs included; that it was painful to have inserted, there was a good chance it could make you put on weight and a good chance it could cause irregular periods

By understanding women’s beliefs and attitudes regarding LARCS and the barriers to their use it will be possible to better improve education regarding these methods to increase their uptake in the community.

11.00 - 11.15 DR COLINETTE MARGERISON TIPS AND TRICKS ON PROVIDING CONTRACEPTION POST ABORTION

Learning from peers group work. Discussion of cases and how the language we use affects the choices patients make for their contraception post abortion.

11.15 - 11.30 DR HELEN CALABRETTO CURRENT AND FUTURE EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION CHOICES IN AUSTRALIA

Background: Emergency contraception (EC) is an underutilised method of contraception which provides users with a final opportunity to prevent pregnancy following non-use of contraception or a contraceptive mishap.

Methods: Hormonal EC has been available in Australia since the late 1970’s off-label use of a combined oral contraceptive pill. Soon after a dedicated emergency contraceptive pill became available in Australia, levonorgestrel (LNG) EC was able to be accessed as a Schedule 3 medication from pharmacies with a pharmacist consultation, significantly improving its access to users. The most recent EC medication in Australia, ulipristal acetate or EllaOne®, was initially Schedule 4 requiring a doctor’s prescription but is now also available as a Schedule 3 medication. The insertion of a copper intrauterine device is the other method of EC, however for practical reasons is not often used for that purpose in Australia. Each method of EC will be discussed, including their efficacy, advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, the barriers to the use of EC and strategies to improve its uptake will be discussed. New methods of hormonal EC currently being investigated internationally will be briefly outlined.

Conclusion: Improving clinician and community knowledge is essential to improve the uptake of this important method of contraception that has the potential to reduce unwanted pregnancies and the abortion rate. With appropriate counselling and referral by pharmacists and other health professionals, EC can be an effective conduit to ongoing effective methods of contraception to assist users in controlling their fertility.

11.30 - 11.45

COMMODORE ROOM: UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND CONTRACEPTION STREAM AND CONTRACEPTION STREAM COMMODORE ROOM: UNPLANNED PREGNANCY DR PHILIP GOLDSTONE LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX: RESULTS FROM AN ANONYMOUS ONLINE SURVEY TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WOMEN’S EXPERIENCES WITH UNPROTECTED SEX AND THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND USE OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION

In 2016, MS Health conducted an anonymous online market research survey. The survey was designed to investigate: women’s awareness and understanding of ovulation and fertility; women’s awareness, understanding and attitudes regarding emergency contraception (EC); and women’s experiences with unprotected sex and use of EC.

11.45 - 12.00 DR CATRIONA MELVILLE TOO SOON TO HAVE ANOTHER BABY? SHORT INTER-PREGNANCY INTERVAL IN WOMEN ATTENDING AN ABORTION SERVICE

Background: We observed that many women attending our abortion service were in the recent postpartum period or had young infants. We therefore sought to determine how many of these women were within 12 months of a live birth in our maternity hospital. A short inter-pregnancy interval is an independent risk factor for preterm delivery and neonatal death in the second birth. In order to reduce the risk of adverse maternal, perinatal and infant outcomes, it is recommended that pregnancies are optimally spaced. Inter- pregnancy intervals under 12 months increase the risk of preterm birth, low birthweight,

6 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS stillbirth and neonatal death. The World Health Organisation recommends that after a live birth, an interval of 24 months is recommended before conceiving again.

Methods: A retrospective audit of all parous women attending the abortion service in a 5 month period January - May 2015 was undertaken. Electronic hospital records were used to seek evidence of a live birth within the preceding 12 months at the same hospital.

Results: 205 women attended the service for induced abortion. 47 (23%) had a live birth in the preceding 12 months and 1 had an ectopic pregnancy. This may be an underestimate as it excludes women who had a live birth in another hospital.

Conclusions: Recent Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare guidance highlights the importance of contraceptive provision after pregnancy to reduce unintended pregnancy and enable optimal pregnancy spacing. Almost a quarter of women attending for abortion conceived within a year of a live birth in our hospital highlighting the need to focus on provision of reliable and timely postnatal contraception (ideally LARC) - and on educating COMMODORE ROOM: CONTRACEPTION STREAM COMMODORE ROOM: CONTRACEPTION STREAM women and health care providers about optimal pregnancy spacing.

12.00 - 1.00PM LUNCH

1.00PM - 2.30PM CONCURRENT SESSIONS

1.00 - 1.30 LIBBY DAVIES WHITE RIBBON AUSTRALIA: DEVELOPING A POSITION STATEMENT ON WOMEN’S

This presentation will set the scene regarding the intersection between unplanned pregnancy, abortion and domestic violence. It will discuss White Ribbon Australia’s experience of developing a position statement on Women’s Reproductive Rights.

1.30 - 2.00 LIZ PRICE IDENTIFYING AND RESPONDING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN AN ABORTION PROVISION CONTEXT

In August 2016, through philanthropic funding, Children by Choice commenced the “Screening to Safety” project aimed at building the capacity of abortion providers in Queensland to identify and respond to women experiencing domestic violence with a particular focus on reproductive coercion. This presentation will describe the research underpinning the project and the initiatives undertaken to date. It will discuss contextual constraints and achievements, as well as findings and recommendations for other initiatives that can support the vital role that health care providers can play in responding to the needs of women experiencing violence and control who present for abortion care.

2.00 - 2.15 SAMANTHA CAMPBELL TERMINATING THE VIOLENCE

How abortion saves lives: a gendered analysis of violence against women. As our community stands up for the rights of women experiencing domestic violence, we simultaneously turn a blind eye to the ongoing control of women’s bodies through restricted access of abortion and the stigma of abortion. Why are we outraged at the control of a woman’s body at the hand’s and mind of her intimate partner, yet not willing to apply the same lens to women’s access to abortion and reproductive health? This talk aims to examine the binary categorisation of ‘women’ as protective, yet capable of wickedness, when considering the link between gendered violence and the control of women’s choice over their own bodies.

2.15 - 2.30 BROOKE CALO IMPLEMENTING A DOMESTIC AND ABORIGINAL FAMILY VIOLENCE SCREENING TOOL IN AN ABORTION SETTING

Introduction: Pregnancy is acknowledged as a time of increased risk for Domestic and Aboriginal Family Violence (D&AFV) and unplanned pregnancy can heighten this risk. Asking

ADMIRALTY ROOM: INTERSECTION BETWEEN UNPLANNED PREGNANCY, ABORTION + DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STREAM ABORTION BETWEEN UNPLANNED PREGNANCY, ROOM: INTERSECTION ADMIRALTY women specific questions about their safety within relationships is identified as significant for women experiencing violence. Screening for domestic violence with pregnant women

7 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS can help women escape physical, psychological, emotional or sexual abuse and can also prevent repeated abortions. The practice of routinely asking questions regarding women’s experience of violence is increasingly being promoted and used in various health-care settings.

The nature of D&AFV can inhibit women engaging with services; however pregnancy is a time where most women will at some point engage with a health service. Across Australia there has been uptake of routine screening in antenatal settings; however, this has not been routine in abortion settings.

The Pregnancy Advisory Centre (PAC), as a specialist abortion service, is in a unique position to screen for D&AFV. The PAC has developed a screening tool to capture women experiencing D&AFV and with their consent, complete a more thorough risk assessment enabling us to tailor our service response to increase women’s safety. Women who screen at high risk are provided with social work support to complete a state-wide risk assessment that links women to a multi-agency response, alongside immediate safety planning.

Conclusion: Routine screening for violence in an abortion setting can play a crucial role in supporting women’s safety. The implementation of this tool in April 2016 was quantitatively evaluated after the first 6 months and initially showed 5% of women attending the service as identifying with or experiencing violence and or abuse in their relationship. Of these ADMIRALTY ROOM: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STREAM ADMIRALTY women, 50% were seen by a social worker for further risk assessment and were provided with further support, information and referrals. A further quantitative review of the first 12 months since implementation will be undertaken in April 2017.

Co-authored by Bree Vanderkolk & Brooke Calo.

1.00 - 1.30 DR EA MULLIGAN TOUCHY SUBJECTS: ENGAGING MEDICAL STUDENTS WITH ABORTION, CONTRACEPTION AND UNPLANNED PREGNANCY

For several decades it has been quite difficult to overcome conscientious objection and recruit new abortion providers. There are several avenues for spicing up medical curriculum to include these important topics. These include the AMC/medical school accreditation, additions to existing content in health law, ethics, public health, clinical skills and O&G. There are also avenues in the recreational/discretionary space. Medical Students for Choice provides a US model while the Asia Safe Abortion Partnership is currently developing a campaign directed at medical schools.

1.30 - 1.45 DR SIMON WILSON A LOST CURRICULUM? ABORTION CARE IN GENERAL PRACTICE TRAINING

At least 80 percent of Australians will see a general practitioner over a year. For women seeking information around an unplanned pregnancy their general practitioner is likely to be an early source of information. What unplanned pregnancy and abortion care education does the general practice registrar receive during their specialty training? Is there a defined curriculum? Are in house or invited educators used? This survey looks at the nine general practitioner training providers in Australia and their curriculum around abortion care.

1.45 - 2.00 BRIGID COOMBE ENSURING A WORKFORCE FOR EQUITABLE PROVISION OF ABORTION

Approximately 85,000 abortions are provided in Australia each year. There is no strategy to ensure a workforce for provision. Legislative barriers are frequently cited as barriers to abortion access but lack of providers is also a factor in the unavailability of services; and arguably the most significant barrier.

Although legislative barriers exist in South Australia, service provision in the public health COMMODORE ROOM: MAINTAINING A WORKFORCE AND ABORTION TRAINING STREAM ABORTION AND WORKFORCE A COMMODORE ROOM: MAINTAINING system, with equity of access an accepted and expected norm. The expectation of public provision has required the development of a skilled and sustainable workforce of doctors and nurses. Career pathways, job security, supportive training and development, and

8 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS succession planning have produced a workforce in a reasonably healthy position. Some of these SA doctors now provide abortions in “fly in fly out” arrangements in other major Australian centres. This is not an ideal scenario, nor sustainable as a long term solution for national provision. Legislative reforms have had little focus on the role of nurses as providers, yet there is potential for this professional group to improve access to early abortion.

This presentation will provide an overview of strategies undertaken in SA to develop and sustain the necessary workforce, and call upon the shared knowledge of the conference participants to map current and future workforce needs. The development of the nurse’s role in provision internationally will be discussed.

2.00 - 2.30 DR PADDY MOORE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND COLLEGE OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNAECOLOGISTS’ SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ADVANCED TRAINING MODULE COMMODORE ROOM: WORKFORCE STREAM This presentation will discuss the implementation of the Advanced Training Module in Victoria.

2.30 - 3.00PM AFTERNOON TEA

3.00 - 4.30PM PLENARY: INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON GRAND BALLROOM SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

SENATOR CLAIRE MOORE This session will provide an opportunity to hear from a range of experts working in the Shadow Minister for International global context of reproductive health and will be followed by a panel discussion and Q+A. Development & the Pacific Topics to be discussed will include access to safe abortion, the impact of the global gag JOHANNA WICKS rule and Australia’s role in supporting reproductive health overseas. Chief, International Planned Parenthood Federation Australia

CHRIS TURNER SESSION CHAIR: Executive Officer & Regional SUE BOYCE Director, Marie Stopes Former Liberal Senator for Queensland, convenor of Pro Choice Queensland’s International Australia #itsnot1899campaign, and Children by Choice patron.

DR CAROLINE DE COSTA Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, James Cook University

4.30PM CLOSE OF DAY ONE

5.00 - 7.00PM CONFERENCE DRINKS + NETWORKING

LA VUE WATERFRONT RESTAURANT 1/501 QUEEN STREET, BRISBANE CITY (Short stroll along the river from the conference venue)

9 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS FRIDAY 4 AUGUST

8.30 - 10.00AM DAY TWO OPENING AND PLENARY: GRAND BALLROOM ADVANCEMENTS IN MEDICAL ABORTION PROVISION

MICHELLE THOMPSON DAY TWO OPENING ADDRESS CEO, Marie Stopes International Australia

DR PAUL HYLAND PLENARY: ADVANCEMENTS IN MEDICAL ABORTION PROVISION Tabbot Foundation Despite being a well-established model of safe abortion care internationally for several DR PHILIP GOLDSTONE decades, medical abortion is a relatively recent development in Australian provision. In this Medical Director, Marie Stopes plenary, experts in medical abortion will discuss their data on patient outcomes and offer International Australia insight into best practice models of provision, followed by a panel discussion and Q+A.

ELIZABETH POWER + SESSION CHAIR: DR HEATHER MCNAMEE DR CAROLINE HARVEY Cairns Sexual Health Clinic GP and Children by Choice Management Committee member

10.00 - 10.30AM MORNING TEA

10.30AM - 12.00PM CONCURRENT SESSIONS

10.30 - 10.45 KATE MARSH UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION ACCESS: SUPPORTING VULNERABLE GROUPS

This presentation will give an overview of the presenting issues and barriers to abortion access faced by Queenslanders who contact Children by Choice for counselling and assistance. It will focus on the issues specific to vulnerable groups in Queensland, including rural and remote women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, and culturally and linguistically diverse women.

10.45 - 11.15 SELINA UTTING HIDDEN WOMEN: THE IMPACT OF POVERTY ON ABORTION ACCESS SUSAN STARK NICOLA SHEERAN Objective: To examine the current impact of poverty on women’s access to abortion services.

Background: Children by Choice is seeing unprecedented demand for financial support from women unable to access a termination of pregnancy due to cost. In unravelling the cycle of poverty we gain greater insight into its contribution to women’s experience of unplanned pregnancy and choices available to her. Utilising organisational data and case studies collected over the past two years we will provide a detailed analysis of the over- representation of women in poverty needing an abortion.

Methods: Children by Choice has recorded statistical evidence of all client contacts and additional profiles of clients who have accessed financial assistance. ADMIRALTY ROOM: FACILITATING ACCESS TO ABORTION STREAM ABORTION TO ACCESS ROOM: FACILITATING ADMIRALTY Results: In comparison to the Tiller Fund Report from the United States, our data is parallel. We see traumatic life circumstances - violence, benefit dependency, single parenting -

10 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS surrounding and exacerbating the abortion experience. We see uneven representation of women in poverty needing to access an abortion.

Conclusion: This presentation will equip attendees with an understanding of the impact of poverty on women’s access to abortion including access to emergency funding and NILS loans. Case studies will further demonstrate barriers as well as suggested strategies for change. Information obtained from this presentation will serve to ignite a collaborative community response for those interested in continuing to strive for change in this area.

11.30 - 11.45 DR SIMON WILSON IMPROVING SAFETY IN ABORTION CARE WITH IN SITU SIMULATION OF EMERGENCIES

Simulation Based Education (SBE) is a rapidly increasing method for leading individuals and teams through Crisis Resource Management (CRM), various approaches to improve patient outcomes in an emergency. Much abortion care in Australia occurs in private practice and is therefore separated from hospital simulation centres and SBE training programs. Although individual health workers can attend off-site courses and updates, this is not with their usual teams or equipment.

In situ simulation (ISS) is a collection of techniques to create and run scenarios in the normal health care environment, with the teams and equipment environment any crisis would be managed with. There is increasing evidence that ISS provided improved team cohesiveness, communication and improved patient outcomes.

This presentation describes how our private clinic has been running ISS crisis management scenarios to explore management of emergencies, communication in the team, shared mental models, closed loop communication and use of cognitive aids, all components of CRM.

11.45 - 12.00 BRANKA BOGDAN MIGRATION, HEALTH LITERACY, HEALTH ACCESS

This paper will platform Australian abortion access within migrant pathways that may involve visas for study, visitor, professional, or family connections. Migration pathways may be chosen, coerced and/or forced. Branka will explore intersectional perspectives and experiences of migration with a focus on enhancing reproductive autonomy and agency. ADMIRALTY ROOM: FACILITATING AND IMPROVING ACCESS TO ABORTION STREAM ABORTION TO ACCESS AND IMPROVING ROOM: FACILITATING ADMIRALTY This presentation will provide an insight into new resources developed by True for clinicians, interpreters and translators. Working in tandem with these professional groups can improve health literacy and expand channels of communication to increase access to reproductive and contraceptive choices. Branka will share the methodology, resource uptake, reach and recommendations for future resource development. Participants will be invited to contribute to future resource development and encouraged to strengthen relationships with relevant migrant groups and services.

10.30 - 10.45 DONNA PINI IMPLEMENTATION OF A MEDICAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY (MTOP) SERVICE WITHIN A QUEENSLAND SEXUAL HEALTH CLINIC

Background: The objective of this presentation is to describe the process and outcomes of implementing an mTOP service within a Queensland Sexual Health Clinic. The clinic is situated in regional Queensland, and prior to establishment of the service the community had very little access for medical termination of pregnancy, with surgical termination of pregnancy still requiring a 400km journey.

Methods: We will describe the process of obtaining endorsement from Hospital and Health Service (HHS) for establishment of an MS-2Step medical termination of pregnancy service. We will also present an audit of the first 12 months of service implementation, including demographic data and the rates of complications.

Results: Several barriers were overcome in order to gain endorsement for the implementation of the service. In the first 12 months we have provided a service for 48

COMMODORE ROOM: MEDICAL ABORTION STREAM ABORTION COMMODORE ROOM: MEDICAL patients. We had no major complications, although our rates of retained products were

11 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS higher than expected. We were required to balance the resources that we have available with the overwhelming demand for the service.

Conclusion: Our first 12 months of service implementation have been very successful, with several lessons learned, and resulting in modifications to the service.

10.45 - 11.00 PHUONG NGUYEN TRANSFERABILITY OF A FAMILY PLANNING MTOP CLINIC MODEL TO OTHER PRIMARY CARE SETTINGS IN VICTORIA

Background: Abortion was decriminalised in Victoria when the Abortion Law Reform Act was passed in 2008. Women who choose not to continue their pregnancy have the option of a surgical termination of pregnancy or medication termination of pregnancy (MTOP). MTOP is available to women up to 9 weeks gestation, and involves taking two sets of tablets, and , to induce a miscarriage. Research shows that women find it acceptable to access MTOP in primary care settings, however, there are not many known primary care services that offer MTOP in Victoria. In 2015, Family Planning Victoria (FPV) included MTOP as part of the suite of reproductive and sexual health services offered at the Box Hill clinic. The aim of this evaluation is to identify the transferability of FPV’s one-stop-shop MTOP clinic model to other primary care settings. A one-stop-shop model means that women could receive all their required care, including tests ultrasounds, blood tests etc. and medication, at the clinic.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key staff involved in the MTOP service 12 months after the service was introduced at FPV.

Results: Community Health Centres and Super Clinics were identified as primary health care settings that may duplicate FPV’s one-stop-shop model. Whilst General Practices have greater barriers for providing the MTOP services, it was still considered possible through a different model. This model requires the establishment of essential partnership with pharmacy, radiology and pathology services, and changes to their clinic infrastructure. Other issues that need to be considered include stigma, conscientious objection, and professional indemnity insurance.

Conclusion: FPV’s MTOP model is most compatible with a Community Health Centre or Super Clinic primary health care setting. Conversely, barriers have been identified that may inhibit the adoption of an MTOP model within a general practice environment without additional support structures in place.

11.00 - 11.15 AARON OSBORNE INTRODUCTION OF AN ABORTION SERVICE AT A FAMILY PLANNING CLINIC IN VICTORIA: A PROCESS EVALUATION

Background: Abortion has been decriminalised in Victoria since 2008. Women who choose COMMODORE ROOM: EVOLVING MODELS OF MEDICAL ABORTION STREAM ABORTION MODELS OF MEDICAL COMMODORE ROOM: EVOLVING not to continue their pregnancy have the option of a surgical termination of pregnancy or medication termination of pregnancy (MTOP). MTOP is available to women up to 9 weeks’ gestation, and involves taking two sets of tablets mifepristone and misoprostol to induce a miscarriage. In 2015, Family Planning Victoria (FPV) included MTOP as part of their suite of reproductive and sexual health services offered. The aim of this evaluation is to report on client reach, clinical outcomes, client satisfaction, and facilitators for implementation.

Methods: Phone logs and de-identified records from the clinical database provided data on reach and clinical outcomes. Anonymous client feedback was collected. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff.

Results: FPV received 288 phone enquiries and booked 156 appointments for an MTOP consultation over 12 months. Majority (77) of women who attended lived within 25km and were on average 29 years old, with a range of 16-44. 142 women proceeded to have an MTOP, with over one third having a health care card. Complications following MTOP were rare, consistent with international data. Long acting reversible contraception uptake among MTOP patients at FPV was higher compared to the general population. Of the 54 patients who provided feedback, 85% rated their overall care as “excellent” and 15 as “very good”. No adverse reactions were received from the public following the introduction of MTOP at FPV. Key facilitators were identified for the successful implementation of the service.

12 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS Conclusion: Family Planning clinics are appropriate settings to provide MTOP safely to women and increase uptake of contraception. However, there are still limitations in reach, with few women attending from regional areas. Greater uptake of the MTOP in other primary care settings, and more flexible clinic times should be considered to increase access for women in Victoria.

11.15 - 11.30 DR LYNETTE SHUMACK TELEMEDICINE PREVENTS PATIENT ABUSE, OR DOES IT?

Ms Shumack’s company provides psychological interview services by telemedicine for The Tabbot Foundation - a unique online Australia-wide mail-order provider of RU486 mifepristone medical abortion medications - using advanced telecommunication facilities at “best-practice” level for medical and psychological care. This service avoids patient harassment, intimidation and expensive accommodation options for women located in rural and remote areas, offering dignified and compassionate treatment backed-up by active management and support of complaints against offending health professionals.

This presentation will present findings between the use of telemedicine and structured psychological interviews with women seeking abortion, and the incidence of reported vulnerability to domestic violence in the population of women seeking early pregnancy termination. Research will also be discussed revealing women’s experience of reported sub-standard practices by health professionals - who despite national regulation continue to intimidate, confuse and obfuscate where abortion is concerned.

11.30 - 11.45 NOLA SAVAGE THE NURSE ROLE IN MEDICATION ABORTION PROVISION: A SOUTH AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCE

Medication abortion has been available to Australian women since 2009. Despite the constraints of the current South Australian abortion law, requiring 2 medical officers to consult with the woman, medication abortion is predominantly a nurse-run service which provides significant economic savings for the health budget. The World Health Organization states medication abortion can be provided by primary level health workers which includes nurses and midwives. Little information has been published about nurse’s experience of medication abortion provision.

This presentation will focus on the role nurses play in providing evidence based medication abortion care for women in South Australia. Nurses provide initial consultation using a women centered approach, with a focus on her choice, safety both physically and emotionally, pain management and symptom control. Nurses provide detailed information about the process to enable informed consent, and exploration of local resources the woman can access in the event she requires additional support. Contraception counselling COMMODORE ROOM: EVOLVING MODELS OF MEDICAL ABORTION STREAM ABORTION MODELS OF MEDICAL COMMODORE ROOM: EVOLVING enables women to make an informed choice about their fertility management. Nurses administer and insert long acting reversible contraception if requested once consent is obtained. Collection of vital signs and laboratory tests ensure her physical safety and future fertility is not compromised. Follow up counselling provides a safety net for the woman in the event of her experience differing from her expectations, as well as providing a successful outcome not only for the woman but also the health care team. From initial consultation to follow up, the nurse is the most prominent health worker in the woman’s medication abortion journey.

11.45 - 12.00 DR COLINETTE MARGERISON DIFFERENT WAYS OF PROVIDING MEDICAL TERMINATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY

The model of termination care in general practice, in a Marie Stopes centre and in a family planning clinic varies. This presentation will be an open discussion of ways termination care can be provided to suit the community and the patient and allow the clinician to feel confident in the follow up process.

12.00 - 1.00PM LUNCH

13 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS 1.00PM - 2.45PM CONCURRENT SESSIONS

1.00 - 1.45 MICHELLE REYNOLDS WOMEN’S STORIES OF ABORTION

This presentation will involve stories from women who have accessed services at Children by Choice. The discussion will be centred on the support women have been provided with at Children by Choice, as well as the barriers women face when accessing unbiased all- options counselling.

1.45 - 2.30 SUSAN STARK USE OF SELF: TOOLS FOR SELF-AWARENESS IN PREGNANCY OPTIONS CARE SIÂN TOOKER Fundamental to the provision of best client care is the practitioner’s development of self-awareness and skills in self-evaluation. This supportive experiential workshop will provide participants with a facilitated opportunity to self-reflect on how underlying values may subconsciously interact with best practice principles in the context of their current work. Participants will have the opportunity to identify strategies for continued skills development.

2.30 - 2.45 LOUISE LOGAN REFLECTIVE GROUP SUPERVISION: RESISTING STRESS AND BURN OUT

This piece of research will review the impact of Reflective Group Supervision on abortion counsellors’ Vicarious Trauma (VT) levels over a period of three months. A qualitative survey of Pregnancy Advisory Service staff member levels of VT after the introduction of Monthly Reflective Group Supervision session were taken by workers’ supervisors as part of individual supervision. Worker VT levels have been measured over a period of 3 months using evidence based Professional Quality of Life scale (ProQOL) (B. Hudnell Stamm, 2009) and the differences and account for the changes have been recorded.

BOARDROOM 1: COUNSELLING AND REFLECTION STREAM *LIMITED CAPACITY* AND REFLECTION BOARDROOM 1: COUNSELLING This presentation will focus on the results and recommendations of this intervention for worker self-care.

1.00 - 1.15 DR CAROL PORTMANN ACCESSING ABORTION POST 20 WEEKS

This presentation will provide insight into stories of women who access termination of pregnancy services post 20 weeks and what options are available to these women.

1.15 - 1.30 TRISH HAYES, COUNSELLING AND SUPPORTING WOMEN SEEKING ABORTION AT EIGHTEEN TO SUZANNE HURLEY TWENTY FOUR WEEKS GESTATION + CHANEL KEANE This presentation will firstly briefly describe the psychosocial and political context for women seeking psychosocial terminations from eighteen to twenty-four weeks. In the scant literature available, common presentations for eighteen to twenty-four week gestation terminations include women managing already existing psychosocial issues such as violence against women, mental health, drug and alcohol use, and socio-and economic disadvantage, as well as due to foetal abnormalities. For abortion counsellors and all health professionals involved supporting women, it is important to understand this context, as well as the stigma attached to women asking, finding and receiving support for terminations after eighteen weeks gestation. Unlike many other Australian abortion providers, Marie Stopes International Australia (MSIA) Maroondah clinic sees women in this gestational cohort and this service includes women being seen for psychosocial support and counselling in person at the Maroondah clinic. Experienced MSIA Maroondah Senior Counsellors Suzanne Hurley and Chanel Keane will participate in a reflective “question and ADMIRALTY ROOM: SUPPORTING ALL CHOICES STREAM ALL ROOM: SUPPORTING ADMIRALTY answer” forum facilitated by Trish Hayes (MSIA Counselling Coordinator) focusing on the following three questions:

14 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS 1. What are some/any key differences/similarities in supporting women post-18 weeks gestation as opposed to earlier gestation? 2. What therapeutic strategies/frameworks might you use as key in this work and why? 3. What do you think are some of the key advocacy and social issues that need public policy attention in this area of work - based on your reflections on what women tell you about their experiences?

1.30-1.45 DEB NEWTON EVALUATION/REVIEW OF THE PREGNANCY ADVISORY SERVICE CARE PLANNING / CASE MANAGEMENT MODEL

In 2014, the Pregnancy Advisory Service (PAS) undertook an audit of women with multiple/complex needs and their experiences at Royal Women’s Hospital PAS services and outcomes that led to the introduction of short term case management/care planning. In late 2016, after 18 months, there was a review of this care planning/short term case management with another group of 20 women.

This presentation will look at the recommendations arising from the most recent review and how the outcomes were implemented within the organisational values.

1.45 - 2.00 LIZ PRICE COUNTING ON ONE HAND: REFLECTIONS ON GENDER SELECTION IN PREGNANCY OPTIONS COUNSELLING

This presentation will explore themes from a handful of case studies from pregnancy options counsellors in the very rare but highly stigmatised area of pregnancy decision making based on gender selection. It will paint a picture of the contemplations of non- Asian women that challenge the dominant narrative of Asian son preference as the only driver for gender selection abortion. It will draw strong connections between ethics and values underpinning pregnancy decision making based on gender, and the ethics and values of women’s decision making more generally. The role that gendered discourses play in shaping counsellors actions and reactions to women’s contemplations will also be briefly explored. ADMIRALTY ROOM: SUPPORTING ALL CHOICES STREAM ALL ROOM: SUPPORTING ADMIRALTY

2.00 - 2.45 DR CATRIONA MELVILLE WOMEN’S EXPERIENCES OF MORE THAN ONE ABORTION: FINDINGS FROM A MULTI- CENTRE MIXED METHODS STUDY

This presentation will cover the main findings from the Women’s Experiences of More than one Abortion (WEMA) study including patient characteristics, reasons for presenting more than once, potential vulnerabilities and stigma faced by women reporting more than one abortion, and best practice recommendations including service lessons.

WEMA co-authors: Carrie Purcell – MRC/CSO SPHSU, Julie Riddell – MRC/CSO SPHSU, Sharon Cameron – NHS Lothian, Audrey Brown – NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Catriona Melville – NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Gillian Flett – NHS Grampian, George Laird – NHS West of Scotland Sexual Health Managed Clinical Network, Lucy Caird – NHS Highland, Yeshi Bushan – NHS Tayside. This study was funded by the Scottish Government

1.00 - 1.15 ALYCE VELLA IMPROVING MEDICATION ABORTION PATHWAYS AND PRACTITIONER CAPACITY IN MELBOURNE’S WEST: FINDINGS OF A SERVICE AUDIT AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Medication termination (MTOP) has surpassed surgical termination in many developed nations as a preferred abortion option. With one in three Australian women accessing an abortion in their lifetime, MTOP availability is a significant advance in reproductive choice. Despite this, pervasive stigma surrounding abortion hinders information and service access, and localised systems and pathways for MTOP are scarce. These are significant barriers for community awareness and access. Reproductive health outcomes in Melbourne’s western region are poor, especially relating to teenage fertility.

In 2015, Women’s Health West conducted a service audit of general practice and pharmacy

COMMODORE ROOM: PROVISION STREAM to determine current MTOP provision in Melbourne’s West. A total of 277 GPs and pharmacies

15 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS were identified; 146 were contacted. Auditing identified 13 MTOP providers, nine physicians and four pharmacists (8.9 per cent of the sample). At least 93 (63.7 per cent) did not provide MTOP. The remaining 40 did not confirm the provision status of physicians or pharmacists (27.4 per cent). A lack of awareness of the ability to provide MTOP was apparent among some practitioners. To complement this audit, professional development workshops were held to increase both awareness and provision of MTOP. Needs assessments from 59 attending medical professionals indicated that lack of provision was attributed to a range of factors including inadequate collegial support, lack of education opportunities, fear of adverse effects, perceived costs and lack of emergency support, as opposed to personal moral objection. At least 10 professionals have already begun the MTOP accreditation process since attending.

This presentation will describe the findings of needs assessments and professional development workshops as well as service auditing processes. It will also include recommendations for streamlined, well-coordinated and integrated systems for MTOP provision in a general practice setting. This information can be used to inform reproductive health systems at a regional, state and, ultimately, national level.

1.15 - 1.30 DR COLINETTE MARGERISON IMPLEMENTING TERMINATION SERVICES IN A CONSERVATIVE QUEENSLAND TOWN

True Relationships and Reproductive Health have implemented services for termination of pregnancy at two of their clinic locations. The second location is a conservative Queensland town that is known for a reluctance in its population to consider contraception. There were many factors to consider in implementing this service including the attitudes and concerns of the community.

This talk will focus on engaging this community to allow this service provision to occur in view of the parliamentary position in Queensland at the time.

1.30 - 1.45 KYM BOYES BARRIERS TO ACCESS IN REMOTE AND RURAL QUEENSLAND

This presentation will discuss the barriers women in rural and remote Queensland will face when seeking a termination of pregnancy. COMMODORE ROOM: OVERCOMING CHALLENGES IN PROVIDING ABORTION STREAM ABORTION COMMODORE ROOM: OVERCOMING CHALLENGES IN PROVIDING 1.45 - 2.30 DR RONLI SIFRIS, SAFE ACCESS ZONES EMILY HOWIE This panel presentation will discuss safe access zones, legislation, potential challenges, + AMY WEBSTER effectiveness and the Victorian experience.

2.30 - 2.45PM Q + A

2.45 - 3.45PM CONFERENCE CALL TO ACTION AND GRAND BALLROOM CLOSING STATEMENTS

SESSION CHAIR: BONNEY CORBIN President, Children by Choice

3.45PM CONFERENCE CLOSE CONFERENCE SPONSORS

PRINCIPAL SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSORS CPD points supported by

BRONZE SPONSOR

16 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS

DR BARBARA BAIRD Associate Professor Barbara Baird works in Women’s Studies at Flinders University. She is writing a history of abortion services in Australia since 1990.

DR SUZANNE BELTON Associate Professor Suzanne Belton is a medical anthropologist with a research interest in sexual and reproductive health. She is President of the Board of Management for Family Planning Welfare Association Northern Territory and was one of the key agitators within the recently successful WHAT RU4 NT? law reform campaign.

BRANKA BOGDAN Branka Bogdan is an advocate for abortion rights for all women, and works as Project Coordinator for the Culturally Responsive Health Project at True Relationships and Reproductive Health. She has a passion for migrant and refugee rights, especially in the space of reproductive and sexual health.

KYM BOYES Kym Boyes is a Remote Area Nurse and Nurse Practitioner in women’s health at Cooktown Community Health in far north Queensland.

DR HELEN CALABRETTO Dr Helen Calabretto is the Director of Research at SHine SA. Helen’s particular research interest is in the awareness, uptake and use of emergency contraception in the prevention of unwanted pregnancies.

BROOKE CALO Brooke Calo is a clinical social worker at the Pregnancy Advisory Centre in South Australia. Brooke has worked with women experiencing unplanned/unwanted pregnancy and pregnancy options counselling and clinical abortion care for 12 years. Brooke is a co- founding member of the National Alliance of Abortion and Pregnancy Options Counsellors (NAAPOC) and is a strongly committed to advocacy and principles of social justice in relation to reproductive autonomy and women-centred care and support.

SAMANTHA CAMPBELL Samantha Campbell is a feminist women’s rights advocate working as a Domestic Violence Case Worker in the Staying Home Leaving Violence program for the last 4 years and is an active abortion rights lobbyist with Women’s Abortion Action Campaign. Working in women’s health has highlighted for Samantha the intersections between domestic violence, access to abortion and the abuse of women’s bodies and rights at a personal, community and institutional level.

JANE CARO Jane Caro is a novelist, author, columnist, broadcaster, and award winning advertising writer. She appears regularly on Weekend Sunrise, Channel 9 Mornings, and the ABC’s Gruen, The Drum, and Q&A. She is a strong advocate for public education and her books include ‘The F Word: How We Learned To Swear By Feminism’ and her memoir ‘Plain- Speaking Jane’. You can find her on twitter @JaneCaro or writing about education, feminism and politics for a range of media outlets.

BRIGID COOMBE Brigid Coombe (RN MN) has provided sexual and reproductive health care to women in family planning & women’s health services, and from 1994 - 2012 in the provision of abortion services at the Pregnancy Advisory Centre in SA. Brigid is a member of the SA Abortion Action Coalition.

LIBBY DAVIES Libby Davies is CEO of White Ribbon Australia (White Ribbon), Australia’s national primary prevention organisation with a particular focus on engaging men to be active drivers of social change to stop men’s violence against women. Libby has previously held CEO positions in national organisations such as Family Services Australia (now Family Relationships Services Australia), Uniting Care Australia and Brain Injury Australia. She has served on numerous boards and advisory councils including at Ministerial, national and

17 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS state levels, has served two terms on the Board of AIHW, immediate past Director of Lifeline Australia, is a member of the NSW Domestic and Family Violence Council, a previous member of the NSW Preventing Domestic and Family Violence Social Investment Advisory Group and has been engaged in the Ministerial Roundtable on Prevention of Violence in Victoria and Queensland. As CEO of White Ribbon she is responsible for transformative programs to engage men in the prevention of men’s violence against women and build community capacity to be the drivers of positive social change and gender equality. She works to enable innovation in the prevention of violence, working alongside and with the many others that are committed to addressing the abuse of women and gender inequality. In 2015 Libby was awarded the NSW ‘For Purpose and Social Enterprise’ Women in Business Award, winner in the 2016 100 Women of Influence Awards and finalist in University of Newcastle National Leadership Alumni Awards. She is a graduate of the University of Newcastle, University of Sydney and the AICD.

DR CAROLINE DE COSTA Dr Caroline de Costa is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at James Cook University, and has a life-long interest in improving women’s health and in particular Indigenous women’s health. She has been extremely active in attempts to bring about reform of abortion laws and improve abortion practice and access. Caroline was one of the first doctors in Australia granted approval to prescribe RU486 and has written extensively about medication abortion.

PROFESSOR HEATHER DOUGLAS Professor Heather Douglas researches in the areas of criminal justice and domestic violence. She is particularly interested in the relationship in the way the criminal law impacts on and constructs women, and has published widely around legal responses to domestic violence, child protection and abortion. In 2014 she was awarded an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship to research the way in which women who have experienced domestic violence use the legal system to help them leave violence. From 2001-2007 she was a part-time commissioner with the Queensland Law Reform Commission. Heather was appointed a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law in 2013 and has been a member of the Children by Choice Management Committee since 2012

JENNY EJLAK Jenny Ejlak has a long history as a pro-choice advocate. She has worked in the public health field for longer than she cares to admit, has been a member of the Public Health Association since 2002, including Tasmanian Branch President 2005-08, and member of the Women’s Health Special Interest Group including national convenor 2008-09. She contributed to establishing a branch of the YWCA in 2000, was on the board of Family Planning Tasmania from 2003-08, was a founding member of Reproductive Choice Australia in 2006 and is the Association’s current President. She has been involved in numerous advocacy campaigns including successful abortion law reform campaigns in Victoria and Tasmania. She has been interviewed extensively in print, radio and television on abortion and reproductive health related issues.

DR PHILIP GOLDSTONE Dr Goldstone has 20 years’ experience as a clinician and educator in sexual and reproductive health. He is the Medical Director of Marie Stopes Australia and a clinical lecturer at University of Sydney. Dr Goldstone’s career has been largely devoted to provision of contraception and pregnancy termination services and he has played a key role in improving access to medical abortion in Australia.

DR JESSIE GUNSON Dr Jessie Gunson is a medical sociologist, qualitative researcher, and lecturer in Health Sciences at Flinders University. She is a member of the South Australia Abortion Action Coalition.

JULIE HAMBLIN Julie Hamblin is a consultant in the Health Group of HWL Ebsworth. She has more than 25 years experience advising the public and private health sectors on health law, medical negligence, clinical risk, bioethics and public health. She currently serves on the NSW Clinical Ethics Advisory Panel and the Australian Research Integrity Committee, and has held a number of other Government appointments in the health sector, including the Australian National Council on HIV/AIDS and Related Diseases, and the board of the former Central Sydney Area Health Service. She has a particular interest and expertise in public health and HIV/AIDS in developing countries, having undertaken consultancy work with the United Nations Development Program and other UN and non-governmental bodies in more than 20 countries in Asia, the Pacific, Africa and Eastern Europe. She chairs the Board of Autism Spectrum Australia and is Deputy Chair of Plan International Australia.

18 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS TRISH HAYES Trish Hayes is currently the Counselling Coordinator for Marie Stopes International Australia. Trish has academic qualifications in history (women’s studies), social work and community development and has worked in the sexual and reproductive health, violence against women and university sectors for over a decade in counselling, research, health promotion and teaching roles. She has a special interest in practice and research in the area of unplanned pregnancy and abortion.

EMILY HOWIE Emily Howie has worked with the since 2009 protecting human rights in Australian foreign policy, defending democratic freedoms and protecting women’s sexual and reproductive health rights. Emily acted for the East Melbourne Fertility Control Clinic in its 2015 legal case to stop anti-abortionists harassing its patients and staff outside the clinic. Emily has a Masters in law from Columbia University in New York.

SUZANNE HURLEY Suzanne Hurley has worked as a counsellor in the area of reproductive loss that has encompassed unplanned pregnancy, infertility and perinatal mental health for over a decade. As well as private practice Suzanne has worked for Pregnancy Advisory Service at the Women’s Hospital in Melbourne, Fertile Ground Health Group where she ran support groups for women going through IVF and for single women considering parenting alone via sperm donor and on the Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA) National Helpline. She has been a moderator of SANE online forums and presented on several topics about pregnancy and loss for health professionals. She is currently a member of the Marie Stopes Australia national counselling team.

DR PAUL HYLAND Dr Paul Hyland is a gynaecologist and was the co-founder of Gynaecology Centres Australia to provide surgical abortions in seven centres throughout NSW and Tasmania. In September 2015 he founded The Tabbot Foundation, pioneering an innovative model for abortion provision by offering an Australia-wide home medical abortion service after telephone consultation.

CHANEL KEANE Chanel is an accredited mental health social worker with over 17 years’ experience as a counsellor and social worker. During much of this time, she has worked in the area of pregnancy options counselling in various roles within the Womens’ Hospital, including the Pregnancy Advisory Service, CASA House and the social work department. Chanel is currently working in the counselling department at Marie Stopes International. Her work with women is passionately grounded in a person centred, structural feminist framework, respecting that the lives of human beings are complex, their needs diverse, and always being influenced by the broader social, political and economic realities in which they live.

LOUISE LOGAN Louise Logan (BSocWK, BA Criminology, GA Development) is Senior Clinician at Pregnancy Advisory Service at RWH in Melbourne. Louise has worked as a social worker in Women and Child Health since 2002 in government and NGO’s. Louise has a passion for working with women from a feminist, women-centred approach which validates and normalises women’s reproductive experiences and choices within a socio-political context and not problems located in individuals.

DR COLINETTE MARGERISON Colinette Margerison is a clinical educator at True Relationships and Reproductive Health, a provider of medical terminations at Marie Stopes and a GP on the Gold Coast.

SONGWOMAN MAROOCHY Songwoman Maroochy is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne. She is an internationally-renowned opera singer and was the first Australian to perform at the United Nations in New York in 1993 in honour of the International Year for the World’s Indigenous People.

KATE MARSH Kate Marsh is the Communications Coordinator at Children by Choice and has almost ten years’ experience in reproductive health rights and advocacy. She has been involved in two Queensland abortion law reform campaigns, was the founder of Pro Choice Queensland, and is a former board member and co-president of Reproductive Choice Australia. She’s also written on abortion law and access for multiple outlets including the Sydney Morning Herald, the ABC, and Daily Life.

ANNA MCCORMACK Anna McCormack is a proud feminist and product of the Women’s Liberation Movement of the 70s and 80s. She was attracted to abortion rights activism again by the possibility of decriminalisation that was presented when Independent MP for Cairns Rob Pyne moved, but later withdrew, his Bills in the Queensland Parliament in 2016.

19 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS DR HEATHER MCNAMEE Heather McNamee MO is passionate about women’s reproductive rights and plays a key role in the ToP (Termination of Pregnancy) service offered at Cairns Sexual Health Service. She is also the Medical Director at the Cairns Doctors GP practice.

DR CATRIONA MELVILLE Catriona Melville relocated to Brisbane from Scotland where she practised as a specialist in sexual and reproductive health. She has been providing holistic client-centred abortion care for 20 years. As clinical lead for her Health Board she launched an outpatient abortion service and a manual service.

DR PADDY MOORE Dr Paddy (Patricia) Moore is a gynaecologist and Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). Paddy has a long term interest in young women’s reproductive and sexual health and has also worked in these areas in the UK and New Zealand. Paddy is currently Head of Unit of abortion and family planning services at the Royal Women’s Hospital Melbourne and Austin Health. Paddy’s Masters of Bioethics thesis developed a proposed model for the medical profession to assess and respond to conscientious objection in sexual and reproductive health services.

DR EA MULLIGAN Dr Ea Mulligan is a GP surgeon and senior lecturer at Flinders University. She has been developing teaching methods suitable for medical students for the last decade. Local uptake is good but upscaling to other medical schools has been retarded up to now.

DR GAITHRI MYLVAGANAM Dr Gaithri Mylvaganam is a 3rd year registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She has an MBBS from UNSW and a Masters in International Public Health from UNSW.

DEB NEWTON Deb Newton (BSocWk, 1995) is a highly experienced Social Worker working in a counsellor/ advocate capacity at RWH, PAS since October 2015. Deb has 18 years experience in working for Anglicare Family Services, Child First and Cradle to Kinder program. Deb is currently studying AOD best practice, and has an ongoing passion for working with young women across the spectrum of reproductive life.

PHUONG NGUYEN Phuong Nguyen works as a project officer in the Policy, Health Promotion and Data team at Family Planning Victoria.

AARON OSBOURNE Aaron Osborne works as a Data Analyst in the Policy, Health Promotion and Data team at Family Planning Victoria.

DONNA PINI Donna Pini is a Nurse Practitioner with Mackay Sexual Health & Sexual Assault Service.

DR CAROL PORTMANN Dr Carol Portmann is a maternal fetal specialist, formerly at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, now in private practice as well as working with Marie Stopes International Australia. Dr Portmann provides services to women in Queensland with complex pregnancies and specialises in pregnancy options.

ELIZABETH POWER Elizabeth Power RN is passionate about women’s reproductive rights and plays a key role in the ToP (Termination of Pregnancy) service offered at Cairns Sexual Health Service. She is also the Practice Nurse at the Cairns Doctors GP practice.

LIZ PRICE Liz Price is a Social Worker who has worked in a wide variety of coal face settings over the last 28 years. She has spent the last six and a half years of those with Children by Choice, mostly in the counselling team. She is currently the project officer for the Screening to Safety Project, looking at enhancing the capacity of abortion providers to identify and respond to the needs of women experiencing violence who seek abortion care.

CLAIRE PULLEN Claire Pullen is a freelance journalist and seasoned campaigner, working in social justice organisations for 10 years in an organising, legal, and volunteer capacity. She is the Director of Policy and External Stakeholder Relations at Family Planning NSW.

MICHELLE REYNOLDS Michelle has a bachelor degree in Welfare Studies and Communication and a background working in Child Protection. After veering off her career path for a few years, Michelle obtained her Master degree in Counselling and began working at Children by Choice in 2015. Michelle is passionate about empowering women and their rights to reproductive choice.

20 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS NICOLA SHEERAN Nicola Sheeran is a lecturer in the School of Applied Psychology at Griffith University and a member of the management committee of Children by Choice. She possesses a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and a PhD (Clinical Psychology) from Griffith University. Nicola’s research interests include the transition to motherhood for adolescent women; intergroup and health communication; stigma, stereotyping, discrimination and prejudice particularly around parenthood; and factors that influence life transitions. Nicola is also a practising Clinical Psychologist.

DR LYNETTE SHUMACK Lynette Shumack is a clinical and forensic psychologist who has worked in private practice for nearly 30 years, and specialises in the assessment and treatment of psychological stress and trauma. Lyn is a past Chairperson of the Australian Psychological Society’s NSW State Executive, Sydney Branch Chair and current executive on both Clinical and Forensic College sections in NSW. She also works voluntarily through various organizations to encourage the reforming of legislation relevant to psychological injury, trauma and civil rights. She is an Australian Psychological Society accredited pregnancy counsellor and consultant to The Tabbot Foundation www.tabbot.com.

DR RONLI SIFRIS Ronli Sifris is a Senior Lecturer in Monash University’s Faculty of Law and a Deputy Director of the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law. She completed an LLM in International Legal Studies as a Hauser Scholar at NYU School of Law and a PhD at Monash University. Ronli’s research focus is on the intersection of reproductive health/rights and the law at both the international and domestic level; for example, she has published extensively on abortion, involuntary sterilisation and surrogacy. Her recent book, ‘Reproductive Freedom, Torture and International Human Rights: Challenging the Masculinisation of Torture’ (Routledge, 2014) conceptualises restrictions on reproductive freedom within the framework of torture discourse. Other recent publications include co-editing a Special Issue of the Griffith Law Review focusing on “Gender, Health and the Law”.

SUSAN STARK Susan is a Counsellor at Children by Choice and has over 20 years’ experience working with women in both community and private settings. She has a Bachelor of Social Science and an interest in sexual health and education. Susan is a passionate advocate for the empowerment of people and sees affordability and access to resources as foundational cornerstones in ensuring reproductive choice.

SIÂN TOOKER Siân works as a Senior Counsellor for Children by Choice, Queensland’s only independent pro-choice pregnancy counselling service. She holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Law from the University of Queensland. Siân has worked primarily in the social and community services sector since 2005. Siân is an intersectional feminist and unionist with strong interests in social justice, advocacy and empowerment.

CHRIS TURNER Chris Turner began his career in international development 16 years ago with the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, moving to the Canadian International Development Agency and later to Save the Children. Chris joined Marie Stopes International in 2007 and never looked back, having found the mission that best aligned with both his heart and mind. Since leaving his native Canada, Chris has held posts in Thailand, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Chris currently leads Marie Stopes International Australia as Executive Officer and Regional Director.

SELINA UTTING Selina Utting is the Resource Manager of Children by Choice. She possesses a BA (Psych) from the University of Qld and an MBA from the University of New England. Before joining Children by Choice 15 years ago, she worked for CSIRO in research support. She is passionate about gendered financial issues and women’s access to microfinance.

ALYCE VELLA Alyce Vella is a health promotion practitioner and the Sexual and Reproductive Health Team Leader at Women’s Health West, Melbourne. Alyce coordinates the Action for Equity Strategy which aims to redress sexual and reproductive health inequity in Melbourne’s West. She has an interest in reproductive rights, monitoring & evaluation and fostering effective partnerships.

DR AMY WEBSTER Dr Amy Webster is the Senior Policy and Health Promotion Officer at Women’s Health Victoria and convener of the Victorian Abortion Working Group. In addition to academic and policy work, Amy has worked in direct service roles in a women’s refuge and within the Pregnancy Advisory Service of the Royal Women’s Hospital.

21 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS NIKKI WHITMORE Nikki Whitmore is currently the Gender, Sexuality and Diversity Project Coordinator at True Relationships and Reproductive Health and a social worker with an interest in queer and critical theories, gender studies and LGBTIQ health. Nikki has spent the past five years directly supporting LGBTIQAP young people, their families, schools and broader communities in a suicide prevention program.

JOHANNA WICKS Johanna Wicks is the Chief of the International Planning Parenthood Federation’s Australia and New Zealand office, responsible for advancing strategic engagement and new program development across the Australasia region. Johanna is an experienced policy professional with 15 years’ experience working in sexual and reproductive health and rights, with expertise in both the public and not for profit sectors. She has extensive experience developing collaborative relationships with bilateral and multilateral institutional donors, private companies and civil society partners.

DR SIMON WILSON Dr Simon Wilson (BMBS BSc FRACGP) is a general practitioner working in private practice offering MTOP and at the Fertility Con-trol Clinic Melbourne in STOP provision.

22 UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUGUST 2017: PROGRAM + ABSTRACTS