Our Statement on the Confirmations of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Pete Hegseth

Statement from Hon. Judy Harris Kluger, Chief Executive Officer of Sanctuary for Families: The confirmations

Statement from Hon. Judy Harris Kluger, Chief Executive Officer of Sanctuary for Families:

The confirmations of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services and Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense make one thing clear: serious allegations of sexual misconduct are not a barrier to power in this country. Despite troubling accusations, both men have been entrusted with leading critical institutions, sending a message that survivors’ experiences can be ignored without consequence.

This is why so many survivors stay silent — because too often, those with power face little scrutiny while survivors are dismissed and discredited. That is how impunity thrives and the cycle of abuse continues.

We refuse to accept this. We will keep fighting for a world where survivors are heard, supported, and protected — and where leadership comes with real accountability.

To every survivor: we see you. We believe you. And we will never stop fighting for your safety, dignity, and justice.

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Media inquiries: press@sffny.org

Our Statement on the Supreme Court’s Ruling on EMTALA and Abortion Care

Statement from Sanctuary for Families CEO Hon. Judy Kluger on the Supreme Court ruling in Moyle v. United States and Idaho v. United States.

Today, the Supreme Court issued its decision in the consolidated cases Moyle v. United States and Idaho v. United States, sending them back to the lower courts without a ruling on the merits but reinstating an injunction requiring Idaho to permit abortions in the case of major health crises. This decision ensures that, for now, women in Idaho can access essential emergency abortion care when their lives or health are at risk, affirming that medical professionals can provide life-saving treatments without fear of criminal penalties or losing their medical licenses.

However, as Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson noted in her partial concurrence, “Today’s decision is not a victory for pregnant patients in Idaho. It is delay. While this court dawdles and the country waits, pregnant people experiencing emergency medical conditions remain in a precarious position, as their doctors are kept in the dark about what the law requires.”  

Statement from Sanctuary CEO Hon. Judy Kluger on the Supreme Court Ruling in Moyle v. United States and Idaho v. United States:

“Today, the Supreme Court squandered an opportunity to stand against state-sponsored gender-based violence. While the decision allows pregnant women in Idaho to receive emergency abortion care for the time being, it also denies patients in Texas and around the country access to the same life-saving treatment.

Access to emergency medical services is particularly crucial for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault, who often need urgent care during pregnancy. Sanctuary for Families is proud to have submitted an amicus brief demonstrating how abortion bans like Idaho’s disproportionately harm survivors. We remain steadfast in our commitment to advocating for comprehensive healthcare rights and protecting against all forms of gender-based violence.”

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Media inquiries: press@sffny.org


Read our amicus brief on the impact that restrictive abortion laws have on survivors of gender-based violence.