Florida Rape Victim Sues County Jail After Being Denied Emergency Contraception

[cynatnite]

A Florida rape victim is suing her county jail and its medical contractor after one employee allegedly refused to give her emergency contraception, citing religious reasons.

After the woman — identified as R.W. — was raped, she went to the jail to identify her assailant. While there, the victim was placed under arrest for an outstanding warrant. It was during this arrest that the incident occurred.

According to the court filing, R.W. had taken one of a two-pill emergency contraception set. But when she needed to take the second pill, the difficulty began:

The next morning, January 28, 2007, Plaintiff requested the second anti-conception pill from Spinelli, explaining that Plaintiff had recently been raped, visited the Rape Crisis Center, and had a prescription from a medical doctor instructing her to take the second pill after twelve hours to prevent the rape from resulting in pregnancy. Spinelli refused to administer the pill to Plaintiff, allegedly stating that it was against her religious beliefs.

This is yet another example of the disturbing trend of conscience-clause excuses for not providing emergency assistance to rape victims. Florida has such a clause, which allows health care providers to deny care if it goes against their religion. Another incident, where a doctor in Oklahoma denied emergency contraceptives to a rape victim, relied on the same “religious beliefs” excuse.

R.W’s rape did not result in pregnancy, and she was permitted to take the second pill — though late — under another person’s supervision.

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/07/03/510389/florida-rape-victim-sues-county-jail-after-being-denied-emergency-contraception/

[Odin2005]

1. GRRR!!!

[CBGLuthier]

2. only a true pigfucker would arrest a rape victim

on an old warrant. For fucks sake just tell her about it and wait. Stupid ass cops.

[MsPithy]

4. These are asshats who do not think rape is real crime.

Any woman who is giving evidence on a rape should get a pass on warrants for any less serious crime. I would much rather have evidence that might catch a rapist, but, I think rape is a crime.

[Life Long Dem]

3. Another vague story.

So they had the rapist in custody, and once she went to identify the rapist they arrested her on a warrant?

Sounds like a bunch of guys (cops) who treated her like trailer trash. And a health care provider who is fucked up in the head on some religion. Or they make any excuse to save money on health care.

But because she didn't end up pregnant she may not have a case.

[TeamPooka]

6. rape is vague how?

please explain.

[Life Long Dem]

7. I felt the story was vague.

I felt the write up of the incident wasn't detailed enough. I wanted more details of the whole incident. But maybe I was wrong in asking for more details. Sorry if I offended any rape victims, as that wasn't my intent.

[cynatnite]

9. You wanted more details of the rape because being called a rape victim wasn't enough. n/t

[TeamPooka]

5. IMHO that makes the cop an accesory to the first crime.

but that's just me...

[onethatcares]

8. is this in Polk county?

if so, it would not surprise me.

[csziggy]

10. Nope, Hillsborough. Still not surprising.

[ck4829]

12. The common excuse is that the woman can just find the pill somewhere else... Can't in this case

This adds a whole new dimension to the case of the 'conscience clause'.

K&R.