About RaisingHerVoice.org

Our Mission

RaisingHerVoice.org is a website that provides a safe space for survivors of sexual assault to share their experiences with emergency contraception (often called EC or the "morning-after pill"). The website aims to raise awareness about the important role of EC during a time of crisis. 

At RaisingHerVoice.org, we believe that every pharmacy and hospital emergency room should make EC available to sexual assault survivors, regardless of the beliefs of the pharmacists, health care personnel, or the religious affiliation of the hospital.  Every survivor who visits a hospital emergency room should receive compassionate treatment, including the decision to receive EC.

RaisingHerVoice.org is a website for survivors of sexual assault to share their experiences about access to emergency contraception (EC or the "morning-after pill") in emergency rooms and pharmacies in the U.S. In addition to providing a safe place for survivors to share their stories, the website also acts as a resource for both survivors and their advocates (family, friends, health care professionals, and rape crisis counselors) by providing information about how EC works, where to find it, and links to other useful websites.

Some individuals find the sharing of their experiences to be a beneficial part of the healing process. Others may prefer to keep their own story private but find it helpful to hear other women's stories. The stories shared on this website include experiences in which sexual assault survivors did and did not receive EC.

At RaisingHerVoice.org, we believe that EC should be available to sexual assault survivors in every pharmacy and hospital emergency room, regardless of the beliefs of pharmacists, health care personnel, or the affiliation of the hospital. Every survivor who visits a hospital emergency room should receive compassionate and non-judgmental treatment. Part of this care includes receiving information about and access to EC.

Survivors of sexual assault may suffer physical and emotional trauma following an assault. These women should not be faced with the additional burden of an unintended pregnancy.

Sexual violence is disempowering. For survivors to regain power, it is essential they be able to make their own decisions about their medical care and overall well-being.  Ensuring that sexual assault survivors are able to get EC will help those survivors to regain a sense of control following an assault.

We believe that real women's stories create the most compelling argument for improving access to EC. Those who are comfortable sharing their experiences with RaisingHerVoice.org will help us ensure that EC is available to all sexual assault survivors.

RaisingHerVoice.org is a project of the Clara Bell Duvall Reproductive Freedom Project of the ACLU of Pennsylvania.

Maintaining Survivors' Privacy

RaisingHerVoice.org takes survivors' privacy seriously. Please read our privacy statement for more information.