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We've watched the definition of "conscience clause" be expanded to include everyone from nurses and data entry workers at hospitals to bus drivers refusing to drop off patients at clinics. But now a prison guard refused to allow a rape victim to take the second dose of emergency contraception (which prevents fertilization) claiming it was "against her beliefs." That's a new one.
Via Addicting Info:
A Tampa woman whom we only know as R.W., was raped. She was treated by the rape crisis center, who gave her two emergency contraception pills, one to be taken immediately and one to be taken 12 hours later. When she reported the rape to the police, they uncovered an arrest warrant on R.W. for failure to pay restitution and failure to appear. After she was arrested, a Hillsborough County guard confiscated her second pill, claiming it was against her religious beliefs.
But this is exactly what happens when "conscience" is allowed to trump a woman's rights to avoid pregnancy. R.W. is suing the sheriff's office, and as well she should. This isn't just about women denied access when jailed (Although that in itself is problematic -- should a woman fear reporting a crime because she may be arrested? Not to mention the fact that women who are sexually assaulted while in jail may also be at the whim of a guard or someone in authorityin obtaining access to emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy).
No, this case also brings to light how those who are "in charge" when it comes to dispensing are able to inflict their own moral beliefs onto someone else. In states like Kansas, which seek to expand conscience clauses well beyond health workers, the putative "rights" if those who wield power are being allowed to trump those of the patient in need.
By Robin Marty | Sourced from RH Reality Check
Posted at June 29, 2012, 1:32 pm
Read More: http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/10022...
Top Opinion
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NarcolepticGoat 2012/06/30 10:33:31That
+9aren't there laws regarding the rights of a prisoner to access to doctor prescribed medication?
And how can a prison guard;s personal beliefs trump a doctor's prescribed treatment ??
And I feel badly for the guard. She's so misguided. Poor thing.
now there's a just sentence.
How she could possibly think that her religious beliefs trump the prisoners legal right to prevent fertilization caused by rape is beyond me? These religious zealots are out of control, I hope she's fired and that the Sheriffs office gives this poor woman a very large settlement check.
Here is something sweet I have been having a discussion with a conservative that gas has doubled under Obama and I finally had to inform him that in July 2008 gas was $4.34 and $4.11 under G W Bush. I advised him not to believe all the conservative propaganda and since he accepts things without proof his entire statement is suspect. I then told him to quit breathing sand it causes brain damage.