Help Support the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act
Help support the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act (HB 560) and ensure that all sexual assault survivors have access to comprehensive medical treatment! On Thursday May 15th State Representative Dan Stewart introduced HB 560, the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act. This important legislation will ensure that sexual assault survivors have access to Emergency Contraception (EC) and preventative treatment for sexually transmitted diseases in all hospital emergency rooms in Ohio. In 2007 the NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio Foundation conducted a survey of hospital emergency rooms across the state. Although the results were better than we had found in our 2004 survey, close to 20% of hospitals that responded to the survey said that they did not guarantee access to EC for sexual assault survivors in their emergency rooms! In their press release supporting this bill the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center stated, "One of the chief concerns that survivors have after being raped is that they are going to become pregnant." The fact that in almost 20% of hospitals a survivor may get denied the medication that she needs to help put these fears to rest is outrageous. Please join us and show your support for this important legislation, and make sure that all sexual assault survivors have access to the comprehensive medical services they need. How can you help? There are lots of ways, here are a few to get you started! Download the paper petition and have your family and friends sign it. When you are done just mail it back to our office at the address on the petition. Thank the sponsor of the bill, Representative Dan Stewart for his leadership on this important legislation either by e-mail or calling his office at 614-466-1896. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper about this important bill. You can download a fact sheet about the bill to help you write your letter by clicking here.
Thank you for your help in supporting this critical legislation. If you want to help out even more sign up to volunteer or call Jaime at 614-221-2594 for more information on how to get involved.
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