Letter: Rape victim bill proves bipartisanship possible
by Carmen Marg-Patton ¦ The Capital Times ¦ 6 March 2008 Dear Editor: The Wisconsin Legislature proved that it can find common ground on an issue when it speaks to basic compassion and fairness -- even when that issue involves women and contraception. The Wisconsin Women's Network Reproductive Rights Task Force applauds final passage of the compassionate care for rape victims bill (AB 377), which requires hospitals to provide information about and access to emergency contraception to rape victims. Currently, only one-third of the hospitals in Wisconsin have a policy of dispensing emergency contraception without exception. Thankfully, this will change with the passage of the compassionate care bill. Approximately one forcible rape is reported every 7 hours, 42 minutes, 40 seconds in Wisconsin (2004 Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance Report on Sexual Assaults in Wisconsin). The physical and psychological damage from rape can be severe and long-standing, but now daughters, sisters, mothers and friends, and their families, can take some comfort in knowing that they will be treated with compassionate care should a woman become a victim of this crime. What can Wisconsin legislators accomplish next if they put politics aside, roll up their sleeves and commit to simply finding common ground on affordable health care, access to birth control and other issues that affect women and their loved ones? Carmen Marg-Patton Reprodictuve Rights Task Force Chair Wisconsin Women's Network Madison
| 
