Sexual harassment survivor joins First Lady Jill Biden in advocating for abortion rights

Hadley Duvall, a 22-year-old from Owensboro, Kentucky, will join First Lady Jill Biden in Pennsylvania this weekend to fight for abortion rights as part of the 2024 campaign.

Duvall became an abortion rights advocate after she was raped by her stepfather at age 12, which resulted in a pregnancy and a miscarriage. Her stepfather was convicted of rape and is currently in prison.

Last fall, Duvall told her story in a campaign ad for the Kentucky gubernatorial race, highlighting the consequences of abortion restrictions, especially when there are no exceptions for rape or incest.

In the ad supporting Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, Duvall criticized the anti-abortion Republican candidate, saying, “Anyone who believes there shouldn’t be exceptions for rape and incest cannot understand what it’s like to be in my shoes.” Beshear’s re-election victory was attributed in part to Duvall’s ad, which resonated with rural, male voters who had previously supported Republican Donald Trump for president.

Duvall will appear alongside Jill Biden at a rally in Pittsburgh on Sunday as part of President Joe Biden’s efforts to mobilize voters for abortion rights. The first lady will also hold an event in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the same day.

The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade on June 24, 2022, has resulted in abortion bans in about half of the states, with ten states having no exceptions for rape or incest. These bans have far-reaching consequences beyond restricting access for those seeking to end unwanted pregnancies.

The events in Pennsylvania are part of a larger campaign by the Biden administration around the anniversary of the Women’s Health Organization’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson. The campaign includes more than 35 events across the country that focus on women and physicians deeply affected by Roe.



(TOI does not normally name victims of sexual violence, but Duvall chose to be named and has spoken publicly about her experiences.)