For Immediate Release:
September 18,
2008
Planned Parenthood to McCain-Palin:
Thanks, but No Thanks
Republican
ticket does not share Wisconsin's values when it comes to
rape victims
Madison, WI – Following a historic year
for women's health in Wisconsin, Planned Parenthood Advocates of
Wisconsin (PPAWI) is sending a message today to the McCain-Palin ticket that
says "thanks, but no thanks" to their policies that undermine women,
especially rape victims. As McCain and
Palin make a Wisconsin visit to Green Bay today, PPAWI warns that the
Republican ticket would reverse the landmark victory of the passage of the
state’s Compassionate Care for Rape Victims bill. This historic bill ensures that all rape
victims seen at any Wisconsin emergency room receive information about, and access to, emergency
contraception (EC) to prevent pregnancy after an assault.
Despite the fact that EC has been around for over twenty-five years as a safe
and effective form of contraception, Senator McCain has long since opposed
increased access to EC even to rape victims [Roll Call
Vote 3/17/05]. If taken within 120 hours after a sexual
assault, EC is at least 75% effective in preventing pregnancy. Nationally, over
300,000 women are raped each year, resulting in over 25,000 unintended
pregnancies and 16,000 abortions. About
22,000, or 88%, of these pregnancies could be prevented if all women who were
raped used emergency contraception. Not
only does McCain oppose access to EC for rape victims, but he wants to reverse
Roe v. Wade and criminalize abortion, even for rape victims.
"John McCain's 25 year voting record clearly highlights his extreme
positions on women’s health," stated Chris Taylor, Public Policy
Director for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin. "For as long as EC
has been around, McCain has appallingly voted against women's health and legislation that would
help reduce the rate of unintended pregnancies and the need for abortion for
victims of rape." concluded Taylor.
Sarah Palin's treatment of rape victims is no better. With Alaska routinely having the nation's
highest rate of sexual assault, then Mayor Palin tolerated a policy of
re-traumatizing sexual assault victims by allowing the police to charge $300 to
$1,200 for a rape kit and to bill rape victims for the cost of the
investigation. Palin
had been in office for four years when the practice of charging rape victims
got the attention of state lawmakers in 2000, who
passed a bill to stop the practice after Palin refused.
"The women of Alaska have learned that
Sarah Palin is no friend to them," said Taylor. "It's time that all voters come to know
what the women of her own state know; Palin will not
advance the rights of women. As Palin
sits back and enjoys the rights that others have won for her, she is doing
everything in her power to turn back the clock back for women everywhere. It's time for women across America to say 'No thanks' to
McCain and Palin."
To learn more about
PPAWI's endorsed candidates and actions to preserve women's access to basic
health care, go to www.ppawi.org/elections
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Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin is the advocacy arm of Planned
Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI). The mission of PPWI is to
empower all individuals to manage their sexual and reproductive health through
direct services, education, and advocacy. www.ppawi.org
Paid for by Planned Parenthood Advocates of
Wisconsin, a 501 c4 qualified nonprofit organization, Tanya Atkinson,
Treasurer.
Not authorized by any
candidate or candidate's agent or committee.