The Birth Companions Institute was invited to share our perspective on The Crimes Amendment (Prohibiting Shackling During Childbirth) Bill, which is currently under consideration by the Parliament of Australia.
Shackling a woman during labour or birth has no place in a system that claims to provide safe and lawful care to those in its custody. This is a position Birth Companions has held throughout our 30-year history—and we are devasted that it still needs to be reiterated.
The Crimes Amendment (Prohibiting Shackling During Childbirth) Bill is currently under consideration by the Parliament of Australia. It has been referred to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for review, with the committee set to deliver its report in October.
We are pleased that, as part of their inquiry, the Committee invited the Birth Companions Institute to share our perspective, informed by our 30 years of advocacy and support for pregnant women and mothers of infants in English prisons.
In our formal submission, Kirsty Kitchen, Director of The Birth Companions Institute, outlines key steps the Senate can take to drive reform and strengthen safeguards for pregnant women in custody.