-We've been discussing NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia's year-long, state-wide investigation of 52 crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) that has uncovered a number of troubling findings about the medically inaccurate information that the staff of these centers have been providing to women.
Amber Banks, a UVA alum and former president of Vox, talked to the group about the dangers posed by these centers, the vast majority (38 of 52) of which do not have medically trained staff and are not properly licensed. The centers are not regulated to ensure that patients receive correct information about reproductive-health options nor for the confidentiality of their personal information.
Virginia CPC's told undercover NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia volunteers and staff inaccuracies such as.... "All condoms have flaws of holes...", "the risk of breast cancer almost doubles after one abortion and rises even further with two or more abortions," and "Women will commit suicide post-abortions."
Furthermore, by purposely disseminating inaccurate information, many CPCs are in violation of the 'Commitment of Care' standards they agreed to in order to receive funding from the sale of Virginia's 'Choose Life' license plates. NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia is attempting to pass a bill in the General Assembly that would force the CPCs to only share information deemed medically accurate by the Department of Health, and to clearly post signs stating that they do not refer for abortions and birth control and do not always enforce HIPAA confidentiality.
For much more information, to sign the petition, and to read the complete report, visit NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia Foundation's website.
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If you'd like your work to be included in FIFE's (Feminism if For Everyone) zine 'That's What S|he Said,' you can submit writing and artwork until February 19th at midnight. The focus this semester is 'Sex, Sexuality and Gender.' Send them to femmag@gmail.com. And take this survey.... the results will be included in the zine!
Mark your calendars for these exciting upcoming events!
--Emergency Contraception Scavenger Hunt with FIFE -- Tuesday, 7:30 pm in Minor 130. We'll be calling local pharmacies to learn about their policies towards carrying and dispensing EC!
-Sexual Arts and Crafts is planned for mid-March
-Take Back the Night will be the week of April 8th
-Margaret
