A petition calling attention to the Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Bill will be available for the public to sign from 10am to 7pm at Library Mall today. The CCRV bill calls for hospitals around the state abide to a standard level care for victims as well as provide them with a specific set of information. Though the bill was passed with the majority through the Senate in May, the bill has been largely altered by an amendment that was added while being discussed in the Assembly. The amendment "gives hospitals a choice to provide emergency contraceptive based on moral, ethical, and religious affiliations," Katie Simons said , Co-chair of Vox, Voices of Planned Parenthood. "[The amendment] destroys the purpose of the bill," Simons added. Many activists and Wisconsin citizens are troubled by the addition of the amendment. Originally, the bill's purpose was to make sure all women receive the same information and choices Simons said. However, with addition of the amendment, the bill loses its intention as hospitals will not be obliged to give information to rape victims; it will be up to the discretion of the individual doctor or nurse. But University of Wisconsin sophomore Alyssa Schreiber said she does not support the Senate’s version of the bill. "I don’t support the morning after pill, and I would not support the event," Schreiber said. "[But] my heart really goes out to rape victims," Schreiber added the Assembly’s amendment doesn’t go far enough because it does not make it illegal to prescribe the morning after pill. "I wouldn’t support a doctor having a choice,” Schreiber said. “I’d rather have it made a law that no hospitals are able to distribute the morning after pill.” The petition advocates the original bill–without the Assembly’s amendment– be passed. Activities on Library Mall include photo petition, taking a picture and adding it to the petition alongside a signature, and personalized signs according to Tanya Atkinson, field director at Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin. "We want to put a face to the movement. Seeing the person and their message at the same time is very powerful," Atkinson said. "Through a picture, the emotion really comes through." The petition today, Atkinson said, aims to raise awareness about the bill at the University of Wisconsin. The form the bill is passed in –original or with the Assembly’s amendments– could have an impact on UW students. "Rape is an issue that is a pretty real issue on campus," Simons said. "It is important for students to understand that if this bill isn't passed [in its original form], that people will not have as many options to receive emergency contraceptives in hospitals around Wisconsin." UW sophomore Lexi Meleski said despite being anti-abortion rights, she would sign the petition. "I do 100 percent believe in emergency contraception," Meleski said. "I don’t have the same views as a lot of pro-life Catholics." Meleski added hospitals should be governed by science rather than religious convictions. "Hospitals should not be based on religious values," Meleski said. "We’re in American and we all have the right to do whatever we want with our own bodies." Atkinson said she hopes that by supporting the Senate’s bill, one standard of care is provided to all rape victims throughout Wisconsin. "Two-thirds of the state does not have the recommended standard of care for rape victims," Atkinson said. "We want to ensure the highest standard of care, to make sure patients get what is recommended regardless of where they live." Simons said Vox is working to try to get the Assembly Republicans to drop their amendment from the proposed legislation. "I hope it will pass through," Simons said. "There seems to be a lot of support in Wisconsin [and] it will put pressure on the legislation." –Jessi Polsky contributed to this report.
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Compassionate Care bill supporters to hold rally
October 16, 2007
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