Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin

FACT SHEET

Compassionate Care for Rape Victims

Victims of rape and incest deserve immediate access to safe, effective methods of pregnancy prevention. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin supports legislation that requires hospitals providing emergency medical care to rape victims to give information about emergency contraception and, if requested, dispense emergency contraception.

Surveys Show that Rape Victims Are Denied Pregnancy Prevention Information and Access

National surveys show that in 2003 2/3 of women aged 18 to 44 were aware that there is something a woman can do to prevent unintended pregnancy in the few days following unprotected sexual intercourse. However, only 6% of women report ever using Emergency Contraception (EC). A majority of women are still confused about EC, are unaware of its effectiveness and do not know how to access it. There is a need for improved education by health care providers on the availability of EC for women in Wisconsin continues.

Numerous studies of Wisconsin medical providers, however, find that less than one-half of emergency medical providers (18%) inform rape victims about the availability of EC and most (69%) refuse to refer women to an alternative provider where the victim can obtain EC. A 1999 survey of 35 Wisconsin Catholic hospital emergency rooms found that 28 refused to provide EC to victims of sexual assault. (Catholics for Free Choice, 1999). In addition, a 2002 national survey found that only 23 % of Catholic hospitals will dispense EC to rape victims. (CFFC, 2003). Catholic hospitals in Wisconsin see almost half of all emergency visits—approximately 41%.

Statistics on Rape

In 2001, an estimated 5,292 rapes were reported to law enforcement agencies. The average victim age was 15. Nationally, over 300,000 women are raped each year, resulting in over 25,000 unintended pregnancies and approximately 16,000 abortions. About 22,000 of these pregnancies could be prevented if all women who were raped used EC, or 88%. (Stewart & Trussell, 2000).

What Is Emergency Contraception (EC)?

EC is simply a high concentration of birth control pills that prevents pregnancy when taken within 120 hours of unprotected intercourse. If taken within 72 hours, EC is at least 75% effective in preventing pregnancy. The sooner EC is taken, the more effective it is. The latest research shows that EC is the most effective when taken in the beginning of the menstrual cycle, prior to ovulation.

Nineteen brands of birth control pills have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and can be used as EC. In addition, "Plan B” is specially designed and packaged for use as EC. “Plan B” has an 89% success rate in preventing pregnancy if taken within 72 hours. EC does not cause an abortion and has no effect on a pregnancy that is already established (see the FDA Docket No. 96N-0492).

The Medical Community Supports Increased Access to Emergency Contraception

The American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) support widespread access and availability of EC as a means of reducing unintended pregnancies. AMA guidelines require counseling and the provision of EC to rape victims. On December 5, 2000 the AMA called on the FDA to consider making emergency contraception available to women "over the counter," without a doctor’s prescription. The AMA's policy-making House of Delegates approved the resolution without discussion. In 2001, the ACOG issued a call to action asking the country’s ob-gyns to provide emergency contraception in advance during women’s yearly exams in an effort to help cut the rates of unintended pregnancy.

The recent FDA refusal to make EC available over the counter was an unprecedented triumph of politics over science. Although two FDA expert advisory committees voted overwhelmingly to recommend that Plan B be made available over the counter and more than 70 of the nation’s leading medical and public health organizations – including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Public Health Association – all agree that Plan B should be available over the counter, the Bush Administration has denied women timely access to an effective means of preventing unintended pregnancy. Another application to make EC over-the-counter is pending before the FDA.

Bi-Partisan Poll Shows Overwhelming Support for Emergency Contraception

In an August 2004 survey of Wisconsin voters, 82% reported that they favored ensuring access to EC for victims of rape and incest. This number is significantly higher than the national average, which in a nationwide poll by Lake Snell Perry & Associates and John Deardourf found that 74% of voters favor requiring hospitals to make EC available to rape victims.

In addition, 53% of Wisconsin voters said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports mandatory EC availability and half of voters said they would be less likely to vote for a candidate who would allow hospitals to deny access to EC to women who had been raped.