F.4: FACE Act Violations
Reduce the incidence of FACE Act violations. Other Information:
While overall criminal incidents against reproductive health care providers have decreased, there has been an increase in
bioterrorism threats to them. In 2001 alone, dozens of clinics received hundreds of hoax anthrax letters, disrupting clinic
activities and inflicting psychological trauma on clinic staff and patients. Significant federal, state, and local law enforcement
resources were expended to restore access to facilities and identify perpetrators. Such cases continue to receive extensive
interest from the media and advocates on all sides of abortion rights issues. Within the next five years, it is likely that
lone actors will resort to violence against reproductive health service staff. The FBI will continue to address allegations
of FACE Act violations rapidly and fairly, without violating lawful demonstrators’ First Amendment rights. Priority Actions:
Expand the intelligence base on domestic terrorist organizations that violate the FACE Act. Increase the breadth and depth
of human source reporting on domestic terrorist organizations. Strengthen established partnerships, community task forces,
and working groups with local, state, and federal law enforcement components and organizations involved with FACE Act matters,
such as the National Task Force on Violence Against Health Care Providers. Increase leveraging of resources with entities
engaged in counterterrorism efforts in those cases where violations of the FACE Act are perpetrated by individuals or groups
with a domestic terrorism nexus.
Indicator(s):
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