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Thanks and Spanks - October Edition Thanks to
Representatives Stephen Slesnick The Ohio Prevention First Act is Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio's signature piece of legislation. This bill contains 6 provisions, each of which are aimed at preventing unintended pregnancy and reducing the spread of STD's. This month, our heroes are two legislators who introduced single-provision "break-out" bills, ensuring that each provision of the Ohio Prevention First Act receives adequate attention from the legislature.
Representative Dan Stewart (D-Columbus) has been a reliable champion for women's health legislation. He continues to protect victims of sexual assault with HB 333, the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies (CARE) Act. CARE requires all hospital emergency rooms to offer Emergency Contraception (EC) to rape survivors. EC is a birth control medication that prevents rape survivors from becoming pregnant by their assailant. Because EC only works before pregnancy occurs, it is different from an abortion drug in that it does not affect an existing pregnancy. This means that the rape survivor must have EC available as soon as possible. Rep. Stewart's bill will help countless women from being victimized all over again by hospital policies that neglect to provide EC.
Spanks to Ohio
Right to Life for pledging to This month, the Franklin County Commissioners voted to approve $50,000 for Comprehensive Sex Education classes for students in 19 middle and high schools. Despite the fact that Comprehensive Sex Education is known to help teens make wise decisions about sex (see above paragraph), Ohio Right to Life vocally opposed the decision. This is very unfortunate...especially since Right to Life employees do not appear to understand what Comprehensive Sex Education actually includes. Ohio Right to Life Executive Director Mike Gonidakis chose to focus on Planned Parenthood's role in providing Comprehensive Sex Education. In a press release, he said that parents do not want their children to interact with an organization that promotes abortion. That's fine because no part of comprehensive sex education lessons include discussions about abortion. Planned Parenthood educators will not discuss the topic, even if students ask. Ohio Right to Life Special Projects Coordinator Stephanie Krider added, "We understand the need for prevention education, but the only prevention that is 100% effective is abstinence." This is also a good thing. That's why every Comprehensive Sex Education class promotes abstinence as the only 100% effective method of avoiding pregnancy and STD's. Because some students are already sexually active, don't always remain abstinent, or may be the victims of sexual assault, Comprehensive Sex Education continues where Abstinence-Only programming stops - it provides medically-accurate answers about birth control and STD's. To review: Comprehensive Sex Education does include lessons on abstinence, but does not include discussion on abortion. If Ohio Right to Life understands the need for prevention education, we hope they will join Planned Parenthood in supporting local governments as they help teens in their communities receive adequate education about their bodies and their lives.
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Representative Stephen
Slesnick (D-Canton) has introduced HB 316, the
Act for Our Children's Future, which requires that any
public school that offers sex education must offer
comprehensive, medically-accurate sex education. Studies
show that teens who receive Comprehensive Sex Education are 50%
less likely to have a pregnancy than teens who receive
Abstinence-Only programs. Most Comprehensive Sex Education
classes are effective in reducing or preventing sexual activity
in teens and increasing the use of birth control and
condoms by youth who are already sexually active.
Rep. Slesnick has shown responsible leadership in recognizing
that existing Abstinence-Only lessons are ineffective and costly
to taxpayers. We thank him for his work to protect Ohio
students.