Planned Parenthood Advocates and NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri: “Rep. Perkins must resign immediately”

Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri and NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri call on State Rep. Chad Perkins (R-Bowling Green) to resign immediately. A young woman has confirmed allegations that Rep. Perkins had sex with her while he was on duty as a police officer — and then asked her to lie about it. This is an abuse of power on multiple levels.

Statement from Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri Director M’Evie Mead and NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri Executive Director Mallory Schwarz:

“The allegations against Rep. Perkins are yet another example of Missouri politicians who have abdicated their responsibility to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct. We stand with his accuser in speaking truth to power, and we believe her.

“Representative Perkins no longer deserves the privilege of serving in public office. These accusations against him as a police officer, as a candidate for public office, and as an elected official are serious. We must hold Perkins accountable for abusing the inherent power imbalance between a vulnerable civilian and an on-duty officer, between a student and her former D.A.R.E. educator, and between a young community member and an influential politician.

“Reproductive freedom is inextricably linked to control and consent over one’s body. Both are under attack in Jefferson City by politicians who trade in this type of misogyny. Enough is enough. We call on Rep. Perkins to resign and for legislative leadership to act if Rep. Perkins does not. Missourians deserve better.”

###

Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri works to protect and expand sexual and reproductive rights and health for all Missourians. It is a joint project of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes and Advocates of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, the advocacy and political arms of both Planned Parenthood affiliates in Missouri.

NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri is the leading grassroots reproductive freedom advocacy organization in Missouri, and works to protect the right of every person who can get pregnant to access the full range of reproductive health options, including preventing unintended pregnancy, bearing healthy children, and choosing legal abortion. NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri is the state affiliate of NARAL Pro-Choice America.