(Mayor) Palin's Wasilla: charge rape victims for rape evidence kits

[rainbow4321]

http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/09/08/breaking-stories-on-kudo-radio/#comments

(14:29:31):


http://opedna.com/2008/09/08/wasilla-police-billed-sexual-assault-victims-for-rape-kits/

Of all of the things I’ve learned about Sarah Palin in the last week and a half, this has got to be the most disturbing. While Sarah Palin was serving as the Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, the city charged victims of sexual assault between $300 and $1200 for their own rape kits. A rape kit is a sexual assault forensic evidence kit, used to collect DNA that can be used in criminal proceedings to assist in the conviction of those who commit sex crimes. The kit is performed as soon as possible after a sexual assault or attack has been committed. It is usually humiliating and uncomfortable for the victim–imagine enduring that and then paying $1200 just so that the criminal who assaulted you might be caught.

Taken from the Frontiersman… Please note that the Governor who signed the new law preventing sexual assault victims from paying for their own rape kits was a Democrat, Tony Knowles. And please share with any woman you know who might be voting for John McCain and Sarah Palin.

http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2000/05/23/news.txt

The Frontiersman / May 23, 2000


While the Alaska State Troopers and most municipal police agencies have covered the cost of exams, which cost between $300 to $1,200 apiece, the Wasilla police department does charge the victims of sexual assault for the tests.

Wasilla Police Chief Charlie Fannon does not agree with the new legislation, saying the law will require the city and communities to come up with more funds to cover the costs of the forensic exams.

In the past we’ve charged the cost of exams to the victims insurance company when possible. I just dont want to see any more burden put on the taxpayer, Fannon said.

According to Fannon, the new law will cost the Wasilla Police Department approximately $5,000 to $14,000 a year to collect evidence for sexual assault cases.


ON edit..oops..sorry this is a dupe!

[NutmegYankee]

1. WTF! n/t

[dflprincess]

2. So, did they charge murder victims' estates or their families

for the autopsies?

This is just nuts.

[Mister Ed]

3. I'm stunned speechless

When have crime victims ever been billed for the costs of the investigation? Is justice now a luxury available only to those who can pony up the cash?

Does the city government of Wasillia think no one but the most recent victim benefits from the investigation and arrest of rapists?

[w4rma]

5. That is the direction Repukes want to take us in. (nt)

[MannyGoldstein]

4. Thank Goodness

These women had sex outside of marriage. Why should the taxpayers pick up the tab?

:sarcasm:, of course.

[Midlodemocrat]

6. THIS is the kind of information we need to get out.

Fannie Mae/Freddie Mae/Bridge to Nowhere doesn't mean much to the average Joe.

THIS does.

JMHO.

[Bennyboy]

7. Clarification?

Am I right in thinking that the law charging crime victims existed before Palin was mayor? So she is more complicit in doing nothing about changing it rather than it's enaction?

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

8. again WTF!

and ofcourse the rape victim can go to walmart/or/there RX and buy the morning after pill...riggghhhttt.. :sarcasm:

[Ranting_Wacko]

9. Shameful. Just shameful -nt-

[KoKo]

10. kick...