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Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies

Emergency Contraception in Hospital Emergency Rooms

Talking Points

  • 84% of Pennsylvanians statewide SUPPORT rape victims being informed about and provided emergency contraception (EC) upon their request when they present to a hospital for treatment.*
  • According to a recent statewide survey, however, over 50% of Pennsylvania hospitals do NOT provide rape victims with EC, even if the victim asks for it. 

WomenVote PA, the Women's Law Project, and many coalition members have joined together in an effort to educate members of the PA General Assembly about the need to promote a standard of care for rape emergencies. In order to provide the necessary comprehensive care to a victim of sexual assault, the CARE Act would require all hospitals and health care facilities that provide emergency services in Pennsylvania to provide the following to rape victims:

  1. Medically accurate information about EC;
  2. The full regimen of EC upon the victim’s request;
  3. Information about the availability of a rape crisis counselor and the contact information of the local rape crisis center; and
  4. Contact the local rape crisis center upon the request of the victim so that she can have the opportunity for a personal and private consultation with the counselor while at the hospital.

Facts:

  • An estimated 25,000 women become pregnant following a sexual assault every year.
  • The American Medical Association, the American College of Emergency Physicians and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists all recognize EC as part of standard treatment for rape survivors to prevent pregnancy.
  • EC is safe, effective, FDA-approved medication that works like regular birth control pills and can PREVENT pregnancy.
  • EC can be up to 89% effective in PREVENTING pregnancy. EC is time-sensitive - it is most effective if taken up to 72 hours following a rape but can still be effective up to 120 hours after.
  • EC is NOT the French abortion pill RU-486. EC does NOT disrupt an existing pregnancy.  EC does NOT cause an abortion nor does it affect an existing embryo.

*Note: Results from a May 2005 Susquehanna Polling and Research survey.

**Note: Stewart FH, Trussell J. Prevention of pregnancy resulting from rape. Am J Prev Med 2000; 19:228-229