Why are specific laws needed to address violence directed at reproductive-health providers and their patients?
Painful, real-world experiences have shown that general laws prohibiting violence and intimidation do not provide sufficient protection against the unlawful and often violent tactics used by some opponents of abortion rights. Laws protecting women and abortion providers from violence and intimidation are critical to preserving the right to choose and ensuring that reproductive-health clinics remain operable. The federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE) and similar state clinic-protection laws provide this essential protection.
Current State Laws
16 states and the District of Columbia have laws that protect health-care facilities, providers, and/or patients from blockades, harassment, and/or other violence: CA, CO, CT, DC, KS, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MT, NV, NY, NC, OR, WA, WI.
3 of these states have buffer zones that protect patients and clinic personnel from unwanted harassment within specified distances from clinics: CO, MA, MT.
Current Federal Laws
FACE provides federal protection against the unlawful and often violent tactics used by abortion opponents. It provides civil remedies and criminal penalties for a range of violent, obstructive, or threatening conduct directed at reproductive-health providers or patients. Courts repeatedly have upheld the law as constitutional, and experts credit FACE as a significant factor in reducing clinic violence.
2012 Notable Developments
On July 9, Francis Grady was found guilty on federal arson charges for starting a fire at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Grand Chute, Wisconsin in early April. During the trial, Grady said he set the fire to “release the souls of the children.” According to the National Abortion Federation, anti-choice activists have directed more than 6,400 reported acts of violence against abortion providers since 1977, including bombings, arsons, death threats, kidnappings, and assaults, as well as more than 175,000 reported acts of disruption, including bomb threats and harassing calls.
View a map of all states with Protection from Clinic Violence.