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Candlelight Vigil Held for Rape Victims

By Lakiesha Townsell
UWRF Public Affairs

OCT. 26, 2007-- On Oct. 17 the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Student Senate Diversity and Women's Initiatives Committee hosted a candlelight vigil in honor of the Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Act. The vigil was held at the fire pit behind the University Center, where concerned students learned more about the Act, listened to speakers, and signed a petition.

The Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Act requires hospitals to provide information on and access to emergency contraception for victims of sexual assault. A majority of Wisconsin emergency rooms do not offer information or prescriptions for emergency contraception.

Speakers at the event included Carmen Marg-Patton, a representative from NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin; Yvonne Wilkins, a campus minister; and Alena Pavek, of the Sexual Assault Response Team. The event was planned and organized by the Diversity and Women's Initiatives Committee co-directors Temi-tayo Shonoiki and Amy Bohrer.

After the speeches and prayer, students and community members lit candles, acknowledged a moment of silence for rape victims, and were called to action.

"Our next step as a committee is to encourage the student body to lobby state legislators," said Shonoiki. "We are very passionate about this issue and are determined to get this bill passed."

The CCRV Bill has been passed by Senate and is waiting to be scheduled for assembly floor vote. For more information about the bill or the Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Act go to the Wisconsin Alliance for Women's Health web site at www.wiawh.org.

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Last updated: Friday, 26-Oct-2007 15:21:01 CDT