Aaron Vehling

Wisconsin hospitals should be required to distribute emergency contraception information to victims of sexual assault, according to a Student Senate resolution passed Monday.

The resolution, which Senate passed 16-4-4, asks that state hearings be held to discuss legislation making it easier for sexual assault victims to obtain information about emergency contraception.

Currently, distributing such information and even the pills themselves, is a judgment call for hospitals, Senator Sandra Boone said. Boone, a sophomore, co-authored the resolution with sophomore Senator Lisa Huftel.

During nearly an hour of discussion, some senators raised concerns that the two pieces of state legislation the resolution would favor – AB170 and SB99 – were not included as attachments. But the spirit of the resolution was what mattered, Boone said.

“The main point of this bill is to have the (legislative) hearings on it,” she said, adding that even if the bill fails, at least it will be discussed, instead of sitting in a committee.

Some senators also raised concerns that no proof of sexual assault would be required for the information and emergency contraception to be distributed.

Senator Chad Wade, a junior, said he was concerned that such a system would take decision-making power away from doctors who would have to offer emergency contraception information or face fines.

But often hospitals have religious connotations attached to them, said Senator Matt Flaten, a senior, and doctors are not universal in their approaches to such issues.

“(The resolution) is not really about promiscuous women,” Flaten said. “It’s a much bigger issue than some of you think.”

Emergency contraception – widely known as the morning after pill – is available from UW-Eau Claire’s Health Services, but is not offered over-the-counter.

Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy and will not work if a woman already is pregnant.

If a female student needs emergency contraception on the weekend, Boone said, she has to go to a local hospital because Health Services is only open Monday through Friday.

This can be a particular concern because the pill is more effective the earlier it is taken, Boone said.

To be effective, emergency contraception must be taken within 72 hours.

Senator Shalina Peermohamed, a sophomore, said she was “shocked and surprised” that some senators were questioning the measure.

She urged her fellow senators to vote in favor of the resolution.

Huftel emphasized the importance of having emergency contraception available, particularly because sexual assault affects the lives of many college-age women.

“It’s a woman’s right,” Huftel said, “to do whatever she wants with her body.”