June 16, 2022
Andrea Trudden, Vice President of Communications and Marketing
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Ahead of Dobbs, Heartbeat International survey sees dangerous increase in violence and threats against pregnancy centers
COLUMBUS, Oh. — An informal survey by Heartbeat International—the world’s largest network of pro-life pregnancy help organizations in the world—of its more than 1,900 U.S.-based affiliate locations reveals a disturbing trend of increasing violence against pregnancy help centers ahead of the expected decision in the Dobbs case that could potentially overturn Roe v. Wade.
The survey shows that abortion activists have moved in deceptive and dangerous ways to channel their anger over the impending Supreme Court leak that showed a potential overturn of the Roe v. Wade decision. In recent days, abortion extremists groups have amplified national calls to action to attack pregnancy help organizations—places that exist to provide pregnant women with care and resources.
Of the 137 responses to the Heartbeat International survey, more than one in six organizations in over 20 states reported an increase in incidents targeting their organizations. These range from fake online reviews to vandalism, including the destruction of property, all occurring since the beginning of May.
“This anger is completely misguided. These pro-abortion vigilantes claim to be standing up for women while simultaneously obstructing women from receiving the pregnancy care they seek,” said Jor-El Godsey, Heartbeat International president.
Of the organizations reporting incidents:
- An alarming 20% reported property damage
- More than 30% have seen an increase in fake online reviews
- 20% have received angry calls
- 10% have experienced protests outside their locations
- 6% have received threats.
“The time these centers must close in order to clean up paint or replace broken windows is time now that they aren’t able to serve women and families,” Godsey said. “The women these vandals claim to care about are now being denied care due to what amounts to a temper tantrum.”
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Heartbeat International is the largest network of pro-life pregnancy help in the world, with over 3,000 affiliated locations in more than 80 countries. Heartbeat's mission is to Reach and Rescue as many lives as possible, around the world, through an effective network of life-affirming pregnancy help, to Renew communities for LIFE in order to achieve their vision of making abortion unwanted today and unthinkable for future generations.
Website - HeartbeatInternational.org
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