Every 2 minutes a woman in raped in the United States. But Representative Underheim and Senator Roessler, chairs of the Health Committees, oppose the Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Act (AB 305 and SB 166) and refuse to hold a public hearing on these important bills.

Take action and urge Rep. Underheim and Sen. Roessler to hold a public hearing and a committee vote on the Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Act.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I urge you to hold a public hearing and a committee vote on the Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Act (AB 305 & SB 166).

Every 2 minutes a woman is raped in the United States. Victims of rape and incest deserve comprehensive and compassionate medical care, including access to emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy after an assault. The Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Act ensures this occurs by requiring hospital emergency rooms to give rape victims information about and to dispense emergency contraception (EC) if requested by the patient.

Emergency contraception is simply a high dosage of birth control pills that prevents pregnancy by up to 75% when taken within 5 days after unprotected intercourse (and by 95% when taken within 24 hours). Given the narrow window of effectiveness, it is critical that rape victims have information and access to this pregnancy prevention method in emergency rooms.

Despite the American Medical Association's recommendation that all emergency rooms provide rape victims with information about emergency contraception and dispense it if requested, less than half of Wisconsin emergency rooms actually do.

Rape victims deserve compassionate and comprehensive health care following an assault. Please hold a public hearing and committee vote on the Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Act.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
November 10, 2005