”And of what should we be afraid?
Our captain on this battlefield is Christ Jesus.”
– St. Catherine of Siena

The latest in the long string of hurdles leaders in Washington state have thrust in front of the many life-affirming organizations (such as Next Step) operating in the state is an online complaint form that originated earlier this year and was created by the office of the Attorney General, Bob Ferguson.

It is titled the “Reproductive Rights Complaint Form” and it can be submitted by anyone who has been “denied abortion access” and/or feels they have been “harassed at a facility or clinic.” Once the AG’s office receives the form they are free to “investigate the offending facility”.

As you can guess there so many things amiss about this “form”.

Its a seamless way for anyone to anonymously submit false claims about a facility or organization they deem has ‘offended’ them in some way. There is no criteria for submission, no proof of actual harassment or issues is required, and there is no indication about exactly how the Attorney General’s office will utilize this information. 

Now I’m all for feedback. I welcome it. How else can we improve? The squeaky wheel gets the oil. If you see something, say something and on and on. But to allow for blatant misuse of that concept and leave its purpose, its criteria, and any outcomes so vague sets off all kinds of alarm bells. 

Places like Next Step do not “deny abortion access”. Simply stated it is not a service we offer, as declared clearly on our website, intake forms, and promotional materials. And as far as harassment – again – what does that mean? Harassed how? By whom? About what? 

See what I mean. Its yet another attempt at Washington’s leaders to try and impede women from going where they want, obtaining facts about ALL of their options, and making their own choices. 

Well, we are for women. All women. Mothers and mothers to be. We are for the defenseless. Born and Unborn. We are for fathers and fathers to be. We are for truth. 
So Mr. Ferguson, you can launch your complaint forms and pretend to care about the rights of those in your state. Next Step Pregnancy Services will remain open and serving those who choose to come to us with the same compassion and medical excellence we’ve always had. 

Here is a link to the form if you are so inclined to check it out –
https://fortress.wa.gov/atg/formhandler/ago/reproductiverights.aspx?blm_aid=50287621

Warmly, 
Heather Vasquez
Next Step Pregnancy Services