The following statement can be attributed to Mark Stringer, ACLU of Iowa Executive Director.
"It is beyond cruel for the state to take away much-needed sexual assault medical care from Iowans. Currently, as part of a crime victim assistance program, Iowa women who are survivors of sexual assault are able to get help through the Iowa Crime Victim Compensation Division. This help has included paying for a sexual assault exam and related medical care, which may include a pregnancy test, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, emergency contraception that will temporarily delay ovulation, and emergency abortion care.
"Attorney General Brenna Bird’s announcement that the Crime Victim Assistance Division has already stopped providing funding for this care as part of some bureaucratic review is unconscionable. The Attorney General needs to resume this emergency care now before more women are hurt as a result.
"Being sexually assaulted is traumatic for survivors and the State of Iowa simply must do the right thing by them. This includes helping victims put their lives back together and assist them on the road to recovery. Instead, this decision penalizes and re-victimizes them.
"Government assistance can never undo the harm that these survivors have faced. But the State of Iowa, and specifically Attorney General Bird, must keep our promise to crime victims — that we will help them when they are in their time of need. There is no room for politics during a crime victim’s emergency. We strongly urge Attorney General Bird to rescind this unfair and disturbing withdrawal of emergency medical services for women and help our people be as healthy and safe as possible."
