On March 13, 2008, Wisconsin Act 102 was signed into effect by Gov. Jim Doyle. The act, better known as the Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Act, requires all emergency rooms in the state of Wisconsin to provide accurate information and access to emergency contraception for female rape victims. Like many similar laws now in effect across the country, CCRV guarantees that every rape victim who visits an emergency room in the Wisconsin receives the same standard of care. However, a recent proposal by the Bush administration now threatens the rights guaranteed by the passage of the CCRV act. Current federal law states health care providers cannot be required to perform an abortion if they are morally or ethically opposed to it. The legislation recently introduced by President George W. Bush would expand this law to include some forms of oral contraception, as well as emergency contraception. If the Department of Health and Human Services decides to honor the proposal, the intent of CCRV would be in serious jeopardy.

The Bush administration’s justification for expanding the current law is based on a belief  that emergency contraception, also known as Plan B or the morning-after pill, can trigger an abortion. However, emergency contraception will not cause an abortion or harm the fetus of a pregnant woman. EC contains two doses of a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone. When taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, the increase in progesterone may cause a delay in ovulation. In some cases, the hormone will cause the uterine lining to change in a way that will not allow the egg to implant. Emergency contraception, like other hormonal birth control, prevents a pregnancy from beginning rather than ending a pregnancy.

Rape victims are never forced to take EC; however, I believe all rape victims are entitled to accurate information and have the right to access EC in the event that they choose to use this method of contraception. The Bush administration’s proposal would affect many people on both a medical and emotional level. It is often very difficult for rape victims to seek help and medical care. If we allow healthcare workers to deny these women basic information about their treatment options, we are denying rape victims the basic medical and emotional care they need and deserve.

Katie Simons

UW Sophomore

PAVE Media Advocate

http://uwpave.rso.wisc.edu/