Women's Center In Camden County Reacts To Possible Abortion Overturn

CHERRY HILL, NJ — There has been an uptick in concern among employees and patients of the Cherry Hill Women's Center and similar locations since the leak of the U.S. Supreme Court's draft opinion regarding an abortion case, an employee of the center tells Patch.

The Women's Centers are fielding a high volume of calls from individuals who are fearful that abortion is illegal," Roxanne Sutocky, The Women's Centers' Director of Community Engagement, said in an interview. "It is important to elevate that the leaked draft decision is
only a draft and no decision has been made."

Still, should the final Supreme Court opinion on this case align exactly with the draft
one, she worried about its impact on some women.

"Restrictions on abortion care have far reaching consequences both deepening existing
inequities and worsening health outcomes for pregnant people and people giving birth," Sutocky explained.

In addition, while laws like New Jersey's Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act — which Gov. Murphy said on Tuesday will allow a a woman to receive an abortion in New Jersey even if the U.S.
Supreme Court final opinion aligns with the draft — are certainly welcomed, it has spurred some confusion among some patients, according to Sutocky.

"Even before the Supreme Court does anything, the landscape of abortion regulation, and legislation is varies greatly state to state," she said.

"So right now, we're being really clear in our affirmation that abortion is legal in all 50 states. We are [also] grateful to states like New Jersey who not only have taken steps to affirm the right to
abortion, but also have been taking steps to make sure that abortion care is also accessible by expanding the number of providers that can provide care," Sutocky said.

She added that The Women's Center "is working closely with our team and our community to ensure safety despite increasingly hostility from abortion opponents."

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