A message from The Bridge to Hope
The Bridge to Hope and supporters have been made aware of misinformation spread by one local chapter of an organization about The Bridge to Hope’s service provision as it relates to reproductive justice within our community. This organization is purposefully not named as the opposition to reproductive justice is not the focus, rather, clarification and equity for marginalized populations is centered. In light of this and due to the ongoing nation-wide conversation surrounding reproductive justice, The Bridge to Hope is speaking about the importance of reproductive justice and clarifying the role of an advocate in the journey of a survivor and within the community.
Reproductive health and reproductive justice are essential for survivors, as well as an integral part of sexual violence prevention. Survivors need and deserve autonomy and decision-making power over their bodies. Abortion is an important healthcare decision made between an individual and their medical provider. Abortion is not only an important issue for survivors, who need access to all options; it is also central to sexual and domestic violence prevention.
The Bridge to Hope, along with the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault and End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, believes that all people are entitled to bodily autonomy and decision-making power regarding their reproductive health. We assert that comprehensive reproductive healthcare services are essential rights that must be safe, equitable, and accessible to all people who can become pregnant. By “comprehensive reproductive healthcare services,” we refer to the full scope of services pertaining to reproductive and sexual health, including but not limited to: birth control, emergency contraception, IVF, gender-affirming care, and abortion. With awareness of the overlap between reproductive justice and our work with survivors of domestic and sexual violence, we remain firmly committed to upholding the core anti-violence principles of bodily autonomy and consent in all we do.
Further, The Bridge to Hope and board of directors are committed to centering the reproductive rights of people who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), and LGBTQ people. Because of white supremacy culture, homophobia, and transphobia, BIPOC and LGBTQ people are systemically most harmed by restrictive reproductive healthcare policies. The Bridge to Hope commits to honoring and upholding the tenants of Reproductive Justice. Reproductive Justice is the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, to have children, to not have children, and to parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities.
The role of The Bridge to Hope is to provide resources and access to resources for survivors. Specific to reproductive justice, advocates are prepared to discuss any potential and available pregnancy options with survivors such as, parenting, adoption, guardianship, abortion, etc. Survivors are the experts of their story and do not receive influence from advocacy on how or what decisions to make regardless of the topic. The mission of The Bridge to Hope is to provide support and healing to survivors and families while engaging with the community to recognize and prevent abuse. Our vision is to provide a bridge to hope that creates a safe, more just, and compassionate society.
The community is encouraged to directly contact The Bridge to Hope with any questions regarding our mission, service provision, and/ or the methodology at which advocacy is provided. The community support for survivors and access to resources is key to working towards equality for all.
