The Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Bill, SB 129 and AB 377, would require hospitals to provide to a sexual assault victim information and, upon her request, emergency contraception,"" an idea that is widely considered common sense.
This bill passed through the Senate May 16, but spent the summer dormant. Additionally, 80 percent of the public voted in favor of the bill in polls, according to the Wisconsin Alliance for Women's Health. There is no reason why this should not have been enacted and practiced across the state.
On May 31, Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem, referred the bill to the Assembly Committee on Judiciary and Ethics, where all progress ceased. The committee reviewed the bill in a hearing last Thursday, marking a significant and unnecessary period of time in between the bill's introduction and review.
Despite this initial progress, the bill still needs to pass through committee a second time for a vote. Kelda Helen Roys, executive director for the abortion rights group NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin, believes Republicans may attempt to amend the bill so it essentially loses its meaning.
Any adulteration of the bill would serve as a grave mistake because the bill protects victims of sexual assault and gives them the right to emergency contraception in the event of an assault. It should not go through legislative rigmarole.
There should be no doubt in the minds of Wisconsin's lawmakers that passing this bill is the correct action to take.
Rape is a crime, and the consequences should not be displaced on the victims. A rape victim has to cope with the physical and emotional trauma of the violation inflicted on them, as well as the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy.
Having a constant reminder of a sexual assault in the form of an unwanted pregnancy could be highly traumatic to the victim. If there were a way to prevent this extra stress, rape victims should at least have the choice.
This bill is about the freedom to take control of one's life in whatever way one prefers. It is about perseverance, despite circumstances.
Lawmakers need to stop dawdling and provide the aid that victims of rape deserve.
