Weighing in on SCOTUS decision

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 vote on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, eliminated the constitutional right to abortion. In doing so, it left it up to states to determine whether abortion care remains accessible to its residents, including victims of rape.

We applaud state leaders in Washington who have reaffirmed a commitment to making abortion access safe and legal within our state.

The lens we apply to this issue — like everything we do — is what’s best for survivors. This includes who to tell, whether to report to law enforcement, or whether to seek an abortion if a pregnancy has occurred.

The impact of a sexual assault on each survivor is uniquely individual, and none is perhaps more profound and complex than a rape-related pregnancy.

At KCSARC, we believe survivors are in the best position to decide what is best for them, including their legal, medical, and mental health care decisions. We believe the full range of reproductive care options must remain available when a sexual assault results in pregnancy.

One thing sexual assault survivors share in common is the sense that they have lost power and control over their own bodily autonomy. Restoring that sense of control is key to long-term recovery. When we provide information and access to all options, we empower survivors to choose a path forward that is right for them.

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The most recent National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey shows 14.9% of female victims became pregnant as a result of rape.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 3 million people experience rape-related pregnancy in their lifetime.