CARE Act sponsors (left to right): Rep. Garland, Sen. Turner, and Rep. Antonio

Rape survivors are fighting back against victimization by unfair laws in Ohio.  The Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies (CARE) Act was introduced in both the Ohio House and Senate today.  The bills will ensure rape survivors are able to receive emergency contraception (known as Plan B) in hospital emergency rooms.

Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) and Representatives Nancy Garland (D-New Albany) and Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) held a press conference today to announce the introduction.  These three legislators are the main sponsors of the bills.

Current law allows hospital emergency rooms to deny this treatment to rape survivors.  Hospital staff, in some facilities, routinely refuse to provide women with this legal contraceptive medication that could prevent them from becoming pregnant by their rapist.  The CARE Act would require hospitals to provide emergency contraception to any rape survivor that requested it.

"Comprehensive and compassionate care helps women in crisis move from victim to survivor," said Rep. Garland.  "The CARE Act is a common-sense approach.  It will help ensure sexual assault victims are given accurate, unbiased information in a timely manner when they visit the hospital, allowing them to make informed choices about their lives."

"It is absolutely imperative that victims of sexual assault are provided with the full array of treatment information and options when they seek medical assistance," said Sen. Turner.  "This legislation will make sure that they receive the level of care they deserve."

"Make no mistake, this is not a Democratic or Republican issue, not is this an issue of ideology," said Rep. Antonio.  "This is an issue of fairness, compassion, and the right of survivors of sexual assault to have full access to emergency care and treatment - something that should resonate with all Ohioans."

The three legislators were joined by Jacque Jovic of the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, Katie Hanna of the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence, and Jaime Miracle of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio.

 "More women in the United States are raped than smoke," Jacque Jovic explained the need for the bills.  "Now, let's think of the money, time and resources spent on smokers... Compare all of that money and all of that awareness to what we do to support survivors.  There is a lot of work to be done."


-Gabriel Mann