Republicans, Rape Victim Advocacy Groups Ask Gov. Owens Provide Care to Victims, Sign HB 1042 Into Law
March 29, 2005
REPUBLICANS, RAPE VICTIM ADVOCACY GROUP ASK GOVERNOR OWENS PROVIDE COMPASSIONATE CARE TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT,
SIGN HB 1042 INTO LAWBILL THAT PROVIDES EMERGENCY BIRTH CONTROL INFORMATION TO RAPE SURVIVORS ON GOVERNOR’S DESKDENVER – In an effort to protect rape victims, the Republican Majority for Choice and the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA) joined with legislators to urge Governor Owens to sign HB 1042 – a bill that would provide information about Emergency Contraception for survivors of sexual assault. “I sincerely hope Governor Owens will support this legislation,” said Mimi Schaefer, a survivor of sexual assault. “After the rape, I was terrified of becoming pregnant. That constant fear, in addition to the initial trauma of the assault, was unbearable,” explained Schaefer. “The effects of sexual assault last a lifetime. HB 1042 would lessen the trauma experienced by thousands of Colorado women each year.” “It should be the survivor's decision, not the government’s, whether to take emergency contraception,” stated Amanda Mountjoy, spokesperson for the Colorado Republican Majority for Choice. “As a fellow Republican and one of his constituents, I urge Governor Owens to sign this bill into law when it comes before him,” said Mountjoy. “This bill is common sense,” continued Mountjoy. “Survivors of sexual assault should be counseled about their risk of pregnancy and offered information about emergency contraception--a simple way to prevent pregnancy resulting from their attack. It should be the survivor's decision, not the government’s, whether to take emergency contraception.” “The trauma experienced by victims of sexual assault is severe and, unfortunately, that trauma is too often compounded by the fear that a pregnancy will result from the assault,” said Cynthia Stone, Media Coordinator for CCASA. “This bill is about providing complete and accurate information to rape survivors,” continued Stone. “Emergency Contraception is a part of comprehensive, compassionate care for victims of sexual assault that is the standard recommended by the American Medical Association and the American College of Emergency Medicine.” “We urge Governor Owens to protect rape victims and sign HB 1042 into law,” said Stone. Representative Betty Boyd (D-Lakewood) and Senator Jennifer Veiga (D-Denver) are the sponsors of HB 1042 and were at the press conference to voice their support for the Governor’s signature on the bill. In addition to the speakers, nearly 5,000 letters from Colorado residents were delivered to the Governor’s office urging him to sign the bill.
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