The National Abortion Federation has been compiling statistics on incidents of violence and disruption against abortion providers since 1977. Our comprehensive database is an invaluable resource that enables us to detect changes in the patterns and trends in anti-abortion activities.
Violence and Disruption Statistics Map
2022
V&D Report
The 2022 Violence & Disruption Statistics show increases in major incidents like arsons, burglaries, death threats, and invasions overall; a sharp increase in violence and disruption in states that are protective of abortion rights; and anti-abortion centers ramping up efforts to deceive and obstruct patients seeking abortion care.
2022 Violence & Disruption Report Highlights
This year’s report shows a rise in major incidents like arson, burglaries, death threats, and invasions with burglary (231%), stalking (229%), and arson (100%) seeing some of the largest increases.
“The data is proof of what we have known to be true: anti-abortion extremists have been emboldened by the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and the cascade of abortion bans that followed. As clinics closed in states with bans, extremists have simply shifted their focus to protective states, where our members have reported major increases in assaults, stalking, and burglaries,” said Melissa Fowler, Chief Program Officer at the National Abortion Federation
NAF has been tracking these incidents for over 45 years. Since 1977, there have been 11 murders, 42 bombings, 200 arsons, 531 assaults, 492 clinic invasions, 375 burglaries, and thousands of other incidents of criminal activities directed at patients, providers, and volunteers.
- Stalking increased by 913% (from 8 in 2021 to 81 in 2022)
- Obstructions increased 538% (from 45 in 2021 to 287 in 2022)
- Bomb threats increased by 133% (from 3 in 2021 to 7 in 2022)
- Burglaries increase by 100% (from 5 in 2021 to 10 in 2022)
- Assault and batteries increased by 29% (from 7 in 2021 to 9 in 2022)