Requiring emergency contraception for rape victims

It's a good idea, after all.

Sexual assault victims would have access to emergency contraception and a minimum standard of medical care if the Texas Legislature passes two bills by Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston.

Thompson's first bill would require Texas hospitals -- public and private -- to provide information about emergency contraception to all patients who have been sexually assaulted. And if a patient requests the drug, known as the morning-after pill, the hospital would be required to provide a prescription.

Common sense dictates that since we have a drug that can prevent pregnancy for rape victims, we should offer it instead of waiting for them to think of it themselves. After all, many rape victims are completely out of their minds after the attack and not thinking straight. Of course, there are dissenters who feel that rape victims shouldn't be deprived of what may be their only chance to bear a child conceived in pain and fear.

Stacey Emick, legislative director of the Texas Right to Life Committee, said being offered emergency contraception is one more traumatic thing for an already traumatized person to think about.

"If they're just throwing a pill at her and saying, 'Here's how you get rid of the problem,' that's not an informed decision," she said. "You are putting her in a more vulnerable position."

Emick suggested that a baby shower would be a pleasant alternative to cheer up the rape victim, and that she would leave it up the hospital staff to decide if they would pray or not that the baby resemble the mother.