Spitzer Seeks End To Health Clinic Violence

Attorney General Spitzer today announced the formation of a special unit within his office to combat violence at health clinics across the state, and recommend new ways to ensure access to women's reproductive health services.

"This initiative won't end the abortion controversy, but it will help restore order to the debate," Spitzer said. "Clinics, clinic workers and those seeking services deserve protection against harassment and violence. We will halt these clearly illegal activities, while respecting the free speech rights of protestors."

Spitzer's action follows the slaying of a Buffalo-area clinic operator, Dr. Barnett Slepian, and in advance of a massive anti-abortion protest in Western New York this spring.

Women's advocates praised the creation of the special state office: Kelli Conlin, Executive Director of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League of New York, said: "We now have a commitment from New York's top law enforcement official to take on those who target women and health care workers for harassment and violence."

Spitzer said the state's failure to enforce existing laws protecting clinics, clinic workers and patrons had created an atmosphere in which violence was more likely to occur, and restricted access to services. More than half of New York's 62 counties now have no provider of reproductive health services. During his campaign for Attorney General, Spitzer promised to enhance the state's efforts to stop such violence and today's announcement follows through on that pledge.

The new Reproductive Rights Unit of the Department of Law is dedicated to:

• Combating all clinic-related violence;
• Assisting and supporting clinic workers who are the targets of intimidation and violence;
• Ensuring that women have unfettered access to reproductive services;
• Prosecuting those who violate clinic access laws, using both civil and criminal remedies;
• Advocating stronger clinic access legislation; and
• Investigating and/or assisting federal authorities in determining whether there are conspiracies to prevent access to clinics, and harass or intimidate clinic workers and patrons.

While the unit's primary mission is to address clinic access issues, it will also address other obstacles in accessing women's reproductive health services, including the implications of hospital mergers, false advertising of reproductive services and misuse of the internet by abortion opponents.