NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release Contact: Curtison Badonie, 505-243-9199 or [email protected] Local Native-Led Nonprofits Address Concerns Over Hospital’s Secret Policy Separating Native American Newborns From Their Mothers ALBUQUERQUE, NM – June 16, 2020 - The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) is outraged to learn of a secret policy that was implemented at Lovelace Women’s Hospital to screen pregnant Native American women for COVID-19 based on their appearance in addition to their home ZIP code and subsequently separated from their newborns after delivery. "Violence against Native women takes many forms”, says Angel Charley, CSVANW Executive Director, “the policies implemented by Lovelace hospital is just one example of how violence has become so normalized in society against our women. Native women have a long history when it comes to not having fully informed consent during birth and this policy continues a reprehensible history of institutions making decisions on behalf of new mothers when it comes to their health.” While several Pueblos and the Navajo Nation in New Mexico have been hit hard by the coronavirus, recording some of the highest per capita rates of COVID-19 infection in the nation, it is important to note that not all tribes have high prevalence of COVID-19. "For Lovelace to screen pregnant women to see if they look Native American and comparing their home ZIP code against a list of tribal reservation ZIP codes, maintained by the hospital, indicates the assumption that all Native people in New Mexico have COIVD-19", says Charley. “While CDC guidelines currently suggest the temporary separation of newborns from a mother suspected of being symptomatic of Covid-19”, says Indigenous Women Rising Co-Founder, Nicole Martin, “we are concerned that performing this separation without informed consent is a racial targeting practice that targets Native mothers based on their ZIP code.” Indigenous Women Rising is an organization committed to honoring Native and Indigenous Peoples’ inherent right to equitable and culturally safe health options through accessible education, resources and advocacy. The policies implemented by Lovelace have raised concerns about racial profiling and patient consent which have since prompted an investigation from New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. # # # About the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women CSVANW is a member-driven tribal coalition that represents the broadest and most unified voice in advocating and collectively addressing violence against Native women and children across the region. An alliance of more than 50 passionate, distinguished and highly committed organizations and individuals, the CSVANW team of staff, Board ofDirectors and committed membership works aggressively to raise awareness about the safety of Native women and children at the state, tribal and federal levels, in addition to providing the utmost critical lifeline services to those affected by violence. CSVANW provides training, advocate support, and technical assistance for tribes and law enforcement seeking help in working with tribes. The Coalition also offers policy advocacy on behalf of tribes. For more information about the CSVANW, go to www.csvanw.org. Follow us to stay connected! ‌ ‌ ‌ Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women | 4600 B Montgomery Blvd NE, Ste 202, Albuquerque, NM 87109 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | About Constant Contact Sent by [email protected] in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!