In an early August Plano City Council meeting, two councilmen spoke up with concerns about $56K of city funding that goes to The Turning Point Rape Crisis Center, the only rape crisis center in Collin County. They raised the question of whether funding The Turning Point violates SB22, a Texas bill that prohibits a government agency from funding “an abortion provider” or “an abortion affiliated agency.”
This is patently false.
Though Turning Point do offer emergency contraception in the form of Plan B, they’re following proper SAFE protocol, administering it only in specific circumstances: within 72 hours of an assault, only after a negative pregnancy test, and only if the survivor requests it. To be clear: Plan B is not the same as early medical abortion because it’s only effective before sperm has fertilized the egg.
Because of this one misunderstanding about the mechanics of women's health, an incredibly important resource for women in Plano (and Collin County) is under attack. Please sign this petition to let Plano City Council know you support Turning Point and our city's continued funding of their vital work.
The Turning Point was founded in 1982 by Carol Finch, a social worker. In 2016 The Turning Point received 1,441 hotline calls. Their trained volunteers made 374 hospital calls for survivors of sexual violence. In 2016, they reached 26,810 individuals through outreach and 11,573 students via education programs. They serve all of Collin County and beyond, reaching into Denton, Dallas, and the northern reaches of the state as well.
