Planned Parenthood Statement on Harassment Allegations at CO State Legislature

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2018
CONTACT
[email protected], 303-359-8519

DENVER, CO - The following statement was released today, March 1, 2018, and is attributed to Vicki Cowart, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains (PPRM) on behalf of PPRM and based on our values and principles.

"Make no mistake - Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains stands with our nearly 100,000 patients across Colorado, New Mexico, Southern Nevada, and Wyoming in saying all people deserve control of their own bodies. We stand with every person who has ever been violated, assaulted, or made to feel less than.

"We trust and believe women. We believe survivors. We believe it is time to stand together with leaders we know stand with women over and over again. It is time to call this what it is: intolerable.

"Our elected officials must uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct. We call on those in positions of power who engage in sexual misconduct and violate the trust of their constituents, colleagues, and staff to take full responsibility for their actions and step aside.

"The Colorado General Assembly has moved forward, for the first time in over a century, with a measure that would expel an elected official from the legislature following multiple credible allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace, and a thorough independent investigation.

"Any elected official who has engaged such egregious behavior is no longer fit to hold office. This kind of behavior must not be tolerated and we will not stop fighting until all people are treated with dignity and respect in the workplace, in accessing health care, and in their everyday lives."

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Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, which includes Colorado, Southern Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming, has been helping individuals make responsible choices for over 100 years.

Since 1916, we have been committed to delivering the highest quality reproductive health care, teaching responsible and age-appropriate sexuality education and have been working diligently to protect a woman's right to choose. Each year nearly 100,000 women, men and teens visit our 24 health centers throughout our region.

Call 1.800.230.PLAN for the Planned Parenthood nearest you.