Emergency Contraception

Jane Doe Inc. has teamed up with MassNARAL (National Abortion Rights Action League) for a campaign to raise awareness and increase accessibility of Emergency Contraception. Jane Doe will be training domestic violence and sexual assault programs in Massachusetts as well as working to identify health care providers who will prescribe EC and pharmacies that will stock it.

Emergency contraception, or EC, is a proven safe and effective method to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. When taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, emergency contraceptive pills, often called morning after pills, can prevent a woman from becoming pregnant. It is marketed under the brand names of Preven and Plan B.

A recent survey conducted by MassNARAL revealed the need for increased knowledge of emergency contraception as well as a commitment on behalf of the medical community to make it available. The survey concluded that more than 50% of all hospital emergency departments in Massachusetts failed to provide Emergency Contraception to women seeking a prescription. While the results of calls made on behalf of rape survivors were more promising than the calls for women who had had consensual unprotected sex, one in five hospitals still failed to make EC available to rape survivors.

Stigma associated with rape can prevent a survivor from seeking the medical care she needs and receiving information about all available options for her. It is critical that advocates and health care providers working with survivors of sexual assault help to remove these barriers. Emergency contraception puts a measure of control back into the hands of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault when they are faced with the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy.

For more information about emergency contraception, visit www.not-2-late.com