Recent news that Medibank customers’ private data, including their use of abortion services, has been published on the dark web by hackers risks the safety of abortion patients.
“There is already too much stigma around abortion, which is a safe and legal medical procedure in Australia,” said Carolyn Mogharbel, Acting CEO of Women’s Health Victoria. “To conflate abortion with moral values just increases stigma and could discourage pregnant people from seeking this common medical procedure, accessed by 1 in 4 Australian women.”
Over 600 calls are made every month, the majority from abortion seekers, to 1800 My Options - a sexual and reproductive health phoneline and information service of Women’s Health Victoria.
“A key concern of abortion seekers is privacy and confidentiality, and this is often a matter of safety,” Mogharbel said. “All people seeking healthcare should be able to be confident in the privacy of their information. For people experiencing family violence, very young people, or those facing religious or cultural considerations, there is real danger due to this information being leaked.”
Women's Health Victoria (2022) Abortion is healthcare, not a moral issue. Patient safety depends on healthcare privacy. Women's Health Victoria Media Release. (Nov 10).
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