ACOG condemns violence against reproductive health care providers

ACOG condemns violence against reproductive health care providers | Image Credit: © zimmytws - © zimmytws - stock.adobe.com.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has released a statement condemning acts of violence connected to reproductive health care, written by president Steven J. Fleischman, MD, FACOG, and chief executive officer Sandra E. Brooks, MD, MBA, FACOG.¹

ACOG condemns violence related to reproductive health care

The statement acknowledged the threat many ob-gyns face every day because of the care they give patients. This has been highlighted by multiple incidents in recent months, including a case of ideologically motivated violence in Minnesota last weekend.¹

This incident occurred just 1 month after the ACOG 2025 Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting was held in Minnesota. Fleischman and Brooks acknowledged that the recent acts of violence were performed because of the victims’ support for policies advocated by ACOG members, including access to all reproductive care.¹

At the same time as the ACOG 2025 Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting, a terrorist detonated a bomb at a fertility clinic, with the goal of spreading fear to health care professionals. The statement highlighted that these professionals aimed to support patients wishing to build their families.¹

Non-physical threats

Alongside the dangers of physical threats, the statement from ACOG discussed the harm other forms of threats may cause. These include hate language that organization members face online, alongside needing to walk through crowds of protestors to reach their patients.¹

These providers also often hear their care misrepresented by politicians and activists. This hate language does not end at a computer screen, as the statement authors noted. Rather, there is a risk of this hate leading to life-threatening harm, such as the incident in Minnesota.¹

Violence against reproductive health providers

Since the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, a rise in the prevalence of violence and intimidation has been reported against health care professionals providing abortion care, according to the National Abortion Federation (NAF).² This began with the first clinical arson in 1976 and a series of bombings in 1978.

In 1993, the first provider murdered to prevent abortion care occurred. The NAF has reported 11 murders and 26 attempted murders linked to anti-abortion violence as of the 2015 attack in Colorado Springs.²

These attacks have led to the establishment of buffer zones that restrict anti-abortion protesters from getting within a certain distance of local facilities. This allows anti-abortion individuals to practice their First Amendment rights while allowing patients safe access to reproductive health facilities.²

Support for providers and call for action

The statement also stressed the importance of policies such as the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.¹ These policies provide protections to physicians and patients against the use of force or obstruction that may act as barriers to health care. The authors noted that these policies are vital for the safety and wellness of ACOG members and their staff.

“ACOG members show up every day to provide care, to advocate for their patients, and to improve the health of their communities,” wrote Fleischman and Brooks. “Working to improve lives should not cause them to risk their own.”¹

To conclude the statement, Fleischman and Brooks condemned the recent acts of violence targeting advocates and providers of reproductive health care. They also took a stance opposing threats made against ACOG members and encouraged politicians to support access to reproductive health care and stand against ideological violence targeting clinicians.¹

References:

1. ACOG condemns acts of violence related to reproductive health care. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. June 17, 2025. Accessed June 18, 2025. https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2025/06/acog-condemns-acts-of-violence-related-to-reproductive-health-care.
2. Provider security. National Abortion Federation. Accessed June 18, 2025. https://prochoice.org/our-work/provider-security/.