Since 2017, our firm has represented individuals and organizations committed to providing reproductive healthcare that are experiencing targeted, horrific acts…just because they are doing their jobs. This includes both offline attacks and online harassment, such as doxxing (publication of private or identifying information online) and targeted harassment on social media, review sites, and anti-abortion platforms.
On June 26th, our lead anti-abortion harassment attorney Laura Hecht-Felella filed an amicus brief for our clients National Abortion Federation Inc., Physicians for Reproductive Health, and Abortion Care Network – three national organizations working to support reproductive healthcare providers around the country!
For background on the case: two Indiana OB-GYNS—Dr. Caitlin Bernard and Dr. Caroline Rouse—filed a lawsuit to stop the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) from releasing individualized state mandated reporting for each abortion provided in IN to an anti-abortion organization that had filed a public records request. Due to the detailed nature of the reports, they would likely easily identify patients.
We filed the amicus brief because these reports also include the names of abortion providers. The release of their identifying information will harm providers, putting their safety at risk. We have seen the damage this has done to our clients in the past, and we know that it carries over to their personal lives. Bringing this to the Indiana Court of Appeals is a culmination of our firm’s work over the last decade+ on behalf of healthcare providers who have been doxxed via public records.
“Three years after the Dobbs decision, the landscape for abortion access has drastically changed, leading to reduced and often disrupted access to care across large parts of the country. Yet, harassment and violence against abortion providers has not only persisted but intensified. Since 2014, our firm has been representing survivors of harassment, abuse and assault, and we believe NO ONE should face any sort of violence – off or online – for providing or supporting access to essential healthcare.” – Laura Hecht-Felella, Esq.
Check out the full amicus brief
We have had several cases where our clients – specifically abortion providers – have had their information exposed publicly. Our legal team is trained to take immediate legal action to stop the attacks and prevent further harm. If you are experiencing immediate threats or require ongoing legal support, please reach out to us so that we can help safeguard your privacy, safety and rights.
You can also access our SWORD (Stop Weaponizing Open Records Demands) resource, which we developed to help abortion providers, clinics, patients, researchers, and supporters who are being attacked by anti-abortion extremists through open records laws.
