Everyone deserves a second chance to prevent an unintended pregnancy. This second chance comes in the form of emergency contraception. If used within 120 hours, emergency contraception (EC) is form of birth control that can safely prevent pregancy after contraceptive failure or unprotected sex. While the IUD can be used as emergency contraception (EC), the most commonly used form of EC is emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) that are often referred to as "the morning-after pill". In August of 2006, the FDA approved emergency contraceptive Plan B to be available over-the-counter in pharmacies nationwide. This means that individuals (both men and women) ages 18 and older can purchase the medication by going to the pharmacy counter and asking for it and presenting ID to verify their age. Younger women ages 17 and younger will still require a prescription. Regardless of age, those seeking EC can go to a family planning clinic to get the medication at a reduced cost. To learn more about EC, read Emergency Contraception: What You Need to Know. Raising Awareness about the Critical Role of EC
Following Sexual AssaultA second chance to prevent pregnancy is particuarly important for women who have been sexually assaulted. An estimated 25,000 women in the U.S. become pregnant following an act of sexual violence each year. If survivors of sexual assault were given emergency contraception (EC), it is estimated that 22,000 of these pregnancies could be prevented. Emergency contraception can play an important role in the aftermath of sexual assault. While emergency contraception is FDA-approved, not all hospitals offer it to rape patients and many people don't know or are misinformed about EC. Read more about why we need EC Over-the-Counter AND In the Emergency Room. The Duvall Project believes that rape patients should be provided with compassionate treatment in all hospital emergency rooms, which includes the decision to take emergency contraception. To respond to the astounding reality that rape patients are not given such an option in many hospitals across the country, the Duvall Project launched the Emergency Contraception (EC) Project in 2000. The EC Project promotes access to emergency contraception in hospitals and pharmacies across Pennsylvania and the U.S. In particular, the project advocates for increased access to the medication for survivors of sexual assault. In 2000, the Duvall Project began surveying Pennsylvania hospitals about their practices in providing EC to rape victims. During the survey process, Duvall began a long-term collaboration with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape. Duvall’s focus on EC access for rape survivors has since expanded to a national level. Working in coalition with the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and Family Planning Advocates of New York State, Duvall has produced an EC Toolkit and EC Manual sharing survey methods in other states and promoting collaboration between the pro-choice and anti-sexual assault communities. The Emergency Contraception Project also includes a pharmacy access effort, including a 2003 study of EC availability in Pennsylvania pharmacies. And in 2005, the Duvall Project launched RaisingHerVoice.org, a website providing a space for sexual assault survivors to share their experiences regarding EC. The Duvall Project is also working to pass the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies (CARE) Act in the PA General Assembly. This legislation will require all hospitals in PA to provide rape victims with the option to take EC. Read more about why this bill is so important!
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