An annual report on violence by the National Abortion Federation found a “sharp increase” at abortion clinics in 2022.
The report notes an increase in arson, burglaries, death threats and invasions last year as compared to 2021.
The Supreme Court on June 24, 2022 struck down the half-century-old ruling Roe v Wade, overturning the Constitutional right to abortion.
In 2022 there were four reported arson cases: in Bakersfield, California in March; in Casper, Wyoming in May; in Kalamazoo, Michigan in July; and in Las Vegas in December. That’s double the number in 2021.
There were 218 reported threats of death or harm last year, compared with 182 in 2021 and 57 in 2018, according to the report. Bomb threats ticked up from 3 to 7 year-to-year.
Assault and battery incidents increased from 7 to 9 between the two years.
There was an overwhelming increase in stalking reports—up to 92 last year compared to 28 the year before. Burglaries increased as well, from 13 in 2021 to 43 last year.
Clinic “obstructions” increased by 538%—from 45 in 2021 to 287 the next year.
Incidents of suspicious letters containing white powder were reported for the first time since 2011.
Since 1977, the National Abortion Federation has been tracking violence at reproductive health facilities on a monthly basis.
The 2022 report includes data from the U.S., Canada and Colombia while the 2021 data includes those countries plus Mexico City.
The Federation does not include incidents that cannot be validated—suggesting that “actual incidents are higher than reported.”
