Good moms tell their daughters about the birds and bees. On the Indian reservation, mothers have to talk to their daughters about what happens after a sexual assault. That's because one in three Native American women becomes a rape victim.
That's heartbreaking enough. But now it also appears that Native Americans are having a hard time getting the Plan B contraceptive that prevents a pregnancy in the aftermath of assault.
Anecdotal reports documented by Colorlines.com show that nearby clinics don't carry Plan B and victims get told they have to fill a prescription many miles away from they live. This poses a terrible difficulty for women who have exactly 72 hours after an assault to take the medication and prevent pregnancy.
Tell the Indian Health Service to stock Plan B in all reservation clinics and make sure women have immediate access to it.
We the undersigned are outraged that so many Native Americans become rape victims--one in three women, according to some statistics. But clearly these victims need immediate access to Plan B, a contraceptive measure that prevents pregnancy in the wake of a sexual assault. It is currently far too difficult for patients living on reservations to access this vital, life-saving medication. Make sure Native Americans have reasonable access to Plan B!
