The United States Department of Justice recently announced a new effort to address violence that has been occurring at abortion clinics across the country.
The effort is being led by the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, which has opened up a new website to serve as a central source of information on the specific threats that violence at abortion clinics poses to the public. On the website, visitors will find a host of resources, including guidance from the Department of Justice on how to report incidents of violence.
In addition to the new website, the Civil Rights Division has also sent a team of lawyers into the field to investigate specific incidents and to encourage organizations that work to protect abortion clinics and doctors to have increased security measures in place.
The goal of this new effort is to protect reproductive rights and ensure the safety of both abortion clinic staff and patients. According to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, the initiative is intended to send a message that the Department of Justice will not tolerate any form of violence or harassment towards anyone at an abortion clinic.
Over the past few years, there has been an alarming rise in violence and harassment against people who work at or visit abortion clinics. Cases of invasive surveillance, doctor stalking, physical attacks, and arson have all been reported.
The Department of Justice’s new effort to protect those at abortion clinics is an important step forward. However, it is only one piece of the larger puzzle in ensuring that those seeking reproductive health care can do so in an environment of safety and respect. In addition to protection from physical threats, those seeking abortions must also be free from stigma and judgment so that they can make the best decision for themselves and their families.