‘Shocking and Heartbreaking.’ Centre Safe Condemns SCOTUS Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade

A State College-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual and domestic violence called the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on Friday to overturn Roe v. Wade a “devastating moment in U.S. history.”

Centre Safe issued a statement on Friday afternoon urging community members to join in supporting those affected by the decision.

“Centre Safe always has and always will continue to support the full range of reproductive healthcare options for all people, including birth control, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, and abortion,” the statement said. “We know firsthand the dangers of power and control dynamics that deny individual bodily autonomy. The Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, while shocking and heartbreaking, in no way affects the support that our organization will always provide to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, especially those seeking reproductive healthcare.”

The court’s 6-3 ruling ended a 50-year precedent that held access to abortion as a constitutionally protected right. The decision will trigger laws outlawing abortion in 13 states, and more are expected to pass legislation banning or significantly restricting access to the medical procedure.

In Pennsylvania there will be no immediate impact as Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has vowed to veto any legislation passed by the Republican-controlled General Assembly that would further restricting abortion in the commonwealth, where the current law allows the procedure to be performed up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, with some exceptions.

Wolf is in the final year of his second term and the future of Pennsylvania’s law could hinge on who is elected to replace him in November: Democratic Attorney General Josh Shapiro or Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano.

In its statement, Centre Safe wrote that a person’s control of their body is a fundamental right, and taking that away is violence.

“When a person is physically or sexually assaulted, part of what is stolen from them is their bodily integrity,” the statement said. “Our ability to control and care for our bodies is a fundamental human right. When that right is taken from us the harm done is not only physical but psychological and emotional—most importantly these experiences are often indelible.

“The experience of your body no longer being your own, being forced to do something that you do not intend or desire, is one of the most severe forms of trauma that result from domestic and sexual violence. This same violence is perpetrated in forced birth, no matter the circumstances.”

The organization plans to provide outreach with information on organizing and seeking legislative change.

“Today is a devastating moment in U.S. history, but not the first of its kind,” the statement said. “We have protected, nurtured, and cared for one another in community before, and will continue to do so. We will not allow this decision to steal our humanity, interrupt our services, or isolate us from one another.”

It also called for community members to support one another.

“Reach out to your friends, family, and community members,” the organization wrote. “Seek comfort in the networks we have available and know that we will come back from this decision even stronger than we were before. Talk with your loved ones, grieve this moment, and prepare for the work ahead.

“And perhaps most importantly, please know that you are not alone. We at Centre Safe are here to empower survivors, work to eliminate violence, and help to create new horizons from even dark days like this one. And we will continue to do so. Now, as always, we are here to help.”

Centre Safe’s hotline is available 24 hours a day at 1-877-234-5050. Information on support groups can be found at centresafe.org/services/support-groups.