For Release on April 11, 2023

Denver, CO - The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), strongly opposes the recent Texas Federal Judge’s ruling, which attempts to ban mifepristone— the most common and safe at-home abortion medication in the U.S. In 2022, 27,339 people reaching out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) shared experiences related to non-consensual sexual interaction through coercion, guilt, or force. We stand with The Hotline in our strong opposition to attempts to disregard the lives of survivors, who must have access to reproductive health care, including safe and legal abortion. Bodily autonomy is essential to living a life free from violence. Abortion restrictions, and any limitations on the right of individuals to control their own bodies have a far-reaching and devastating impact on victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. NCADV has long collaborated with advocates and policy makers to ensure these rights.

Says Ruth M. Glenn, NCADV’s President of Public Affairs, “Removing access to Mifepristone would have a catastrophic impact on a survivors’ ability to find safety and freedom from violence. Reproductive coercion is a powerful and detrimental tool for those who choose to abuse.”

NCADV agrees that any attempt to limit a victim or survivors’ access to reproductive healthcare and controlling their own bodies is nothing short of cruel. We are outraged that the harm caused by restricting access to safe and legal abortion to those impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault is ignored by lawmakers and courts across this country— revictimizing survivors repeatedly.

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NCADV recently joined with the National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) to expand support for survivors through a joint venture called Project Opal.