No woman shall in any way be prevented from accessing clinics; new bill takes action against intimidation, threats and harassment<\/p>\n
NEW YORK, NY \u2013 City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn today announced the introduction of the Clinic Access Bill, which will protect women seeking services at reproductive health care facilities. Currently, many women are faced with harassment and other hostile acts as they attempt to enter and exit clinics. The Clinic Access Bill will improve the city\u2019s ability to protect reproductive health clinics and the women who utilize them and will make it easier for the city to prosecute those who violate the law.<\/p>\n
Several women\u2019s rights leaders joined Speaker Quinn at today\u2019s announcement, including Kelli Conlin, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice NY; Dana Czuczka, Associate Vice President of Governmental Affairs of Planned Parenthood New York; Donna Lieberman, Executive Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union; Maryana Banzil, Executive Adminstrator of Dr. Emily\u2019s Women\u2019s Health Center; and Council Members Helen Foster, Helen Sears, Bill de Blasio, Jessica Lappin and Tish James.<\/p>\n
A number of clinics throughout the city have reported problems with patients freely accessing the health services they need. Anti-choice protesters frequent the clinics and their surrounding areas, harassing both patients and staff. Many women, as a result, are intimidated away or otherwise prevented from accessing their healthcare. This is a clear violation of both the women\u2019s right to access healthcare and the clinics\u2019 right to provide services.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one has the right to decide what a woman can and cannot do to protect her health. With this bill, women can be confident in their health decisions and know that no one can stand in their way,\u201d said Speaker Quinn. \u201cIf any woman faces threats, harassment or fear as she approaches a clinic, she will know the city stands behind her in taking action against her harasser.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Clinic Access Bill will make it illegal to follow and harass any individual or place that individual in fear of physical harm within a fifteen-foot area around a reproductive health care facility. The bill will also prohibit blocking a clinic\u2019s entrance or exit, including its parking lots and driveways.<\/p>\n
The legislation will also ease the burden of proof currently required in order to prosecute harassers. The current local law requires prosecutors to prove that a defendant intended to prevent someone from obtaining or assisting in reproductive health services. Under the new legislation, proof of such intent would no longer be required for prosecution. Additionally, either a clinic or a patient will be able to file a harassment complaint; currently only an individual\u2019s complaints about such behavior are able to be prosecuted.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing able to access healthcare without intimidation sounds like common sense, doesn\u2019t it? Unfortunately \u2013 to the protestors who harass, intimidate and coerce women who try to access legal reproductive health care \u2013 it\u2019s not. Such behavior should not stand in New York. We are not a community that allows extremists to interfere with women’s lives. And we are putting our foot down. We will not stand by as harassment and intimidation rule the streets and we will not allow it to escalate to violence,\u201d said Kelli Conlin, President of NARAL Pro-Choice New York.<\/p>\n
“Even in New York City women are being harassed outside of women’s health centers. On behalf of our clients, providers and women across New York, we thank Speaker Quinn and the entire city council for standing up for women and protecting their ability to access health services,\u201d said Joan Malin, President of Planned Parenthood of NYC.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis proposal will add teeth to the city law, by making it clearer what is prohibited and who may bring a complaint,\u201d said Donna Lieberman, NYCLU\u2019s executive director. \u201cThis will allow our local law enforcement to better safeguard women\u2019s rights to access critical services, and to better protect doctors and clinic staff from violent or threatening behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are so thankful to Speaker Quinn and the City Council for introducing legislation that will make it safer and easier for women to obtain reproductive health care services,” said Maryana Banzil, Executive Administrator, Dr. Emily\u2019s. \u201cAs Executive Administrator at Dr. Emily\u2019s, a women\u2019s medical clinic in the south Bronx, I can say from firsthand experience that the women coming to see us everyday often feel frightened and ashamed. These new protections will give our patients and staff a place to turn to when free speech crosses the line to harassment and will allow us to provide women with the care and compassion that they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a necessary step that must be taking to ensure that women get the service and protection they need and most importantly deserve,\u201d said Council Member Helen Foster. \u201cI am proud of the leadership of this council in understanding and knowing that this change is needed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe right of women to access safe, competent reproductive health care is an important one,\u201d said Council Member Sears, Chair of the Women\u2019s Issues Committee. \u201cThis bill will ensure this right against unlawful harassment and intimidation, and will guarantee that every woman can make the reproductive choices that are best for her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must ensure that women have real access to reproductive health care options. I am proud to be a co-sponsor of this legislation, which protects the rights of women while also honoring freedom of speech for those who disagree,\u201d said Council Member de Blasio.<\/p>\n
\u201cWomen seeking health care should not have to feel intimidated,\u201d said Council Member Jessica Lappin. \u201cThey should feel safe and empowered. As a trained Planned Parenthood clinic escort, I\u2019ve spent time ushering women into the Bleecker Street clinic. I witnessed firsthand the need to create a buffer zone for women seeking health care.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWomen exercising their legal rights to privacy and health care should not have to worry about fearing for their lives, or face reprisal when utilizing services at reproductive health care facilities. Individuals seeking reproductive health care services are already emotionally and physically vulnerable; aggressive attacks on patients by protesters are unacceptable and will not be tolerated at clinics,\u201d said Council Member James.<\/p>\n
The Clinic Access bill is sponsored by Speaker Quinn and Council Members Reyna, Lappin, Foster, Yassky, Seabrook, Sears, and de Blasio. It will be referred to the Civil Rights Committee, which will hold a hearing on the legislation in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
No woman shall in any way be prevented from accessing clinics; new bill takes action against intimidation, threats and harassment<\/p>\n
NEW YORK, NY \u2013 City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn today announced the introduction of the Clinic Access Bill, which will protect women seeking services at reproductive health care facilities. Currently, many women are faced with harassment and other hostile acts as they attempt to enter and exit clinics.<\/p>\n
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