Wasilla Charged Rape Victims for their own Rape Kits while Palin was Mayor

[jsteele]

At first glance, this story seems accurate, though I haven't spent a huge amount of time confirming it:

http://www.americablog.com/2008/09/wasilla-charged-rape-victims-for-their.html

In sum, the Frontiersman, which is the Wasilla newspaper, reported in May 2000 about a law signed by Governor Tony Knowles that protect victims of sexual assault from being billed for tests to collect evidence of the crime. The article then quotes Wasilla's police chief as opposing the new law.

The article notes:

"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."

The police chief, Charlie Fannon, was appointed by Palin after she fired his predecessor because he supported a political rival of Palin's.

This is the second of Palin's appointments about which I know that I'd think would be problematic with women (as well men for that matter). There is this police chief who seems to believe that $300 - $1,200 is too much of a burden for taxpayers and, as such, must be charged to rape victims. In addition, after she fired the Public Safety Commissioner who failed to fire her brother in law, she appointed a known sexual harasser who was subsequently forced to resign.

[Anonymous]

WHOOOO-YAH!!

Stupid sluts. Probably deserved it. And they think they're "entitled" to a rape kit. Sheesh.

[Anonymous]

Let's pick at Obama;s potential record- (if this is even an indication of Palin's support_ oh- there is not record- he has no experience

[Anonymous]

But it is better for taxpayers if the cost goes to medical insurance providers, not taxpayers, which is what the police chief says in the article. When I was raped I went to Suburban Hospital, and a bill was absolutely sent to mu insurance company. Moreover, I would point out that under Ike Leggett, and DOug Duncan and former NOW President Duchy Tractenberg, uninsured pregnant women are forced to give birth at a hospital that bans contraceptive information. So women cannot get their tubes tied after child birth, and get no information on birth control after delivery, even if they are 15, unemployed and on their fourth child. Do we blame these great Democrats for this? No. Government is hard, give Palin a break. The fact of the matter is, this partisanship is destroying our country, and Palin actually has a track record of working with Dems (like the Democratic sponsor of this bill) to make positive changes for the people of Alaska.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WHOOOO-YAH!!

Stupid sluts. Probably deserved it. And they think they're "entitled" to a rape kit. Sheesh.

You *may" be being facetious-
but "Jane, you ignorant slut"..

no matter if you were being funny or not..

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:But it is better for taxpayers if the cost goes to medical insurance providers, not taxpayers, which is what the police chief says in the article.

What if they don't have insurance? Also, this is an investigative tool, not simply a medical procedure. If the police check for fingerprints at a crime scene, should the victim be charged for the costs?

Anonymous wrote:
When I was raped I went to Suburban Hospital, and a bill was absolutely sent to mu insurance company. Moreover, I would point out that under Ike Leggett, and DOug Duncan and former NOW President Duchy Tractenberg, uninsured pregnant women are forced to give birth at a hospital that bans contraceptive information. So women cannot get their tubes tied after child birth, and get no information on birth control after delivery, even if they are 15, unemployed and on their fourth child. Do we blame these great Democrats for this?

I don't know anything about this situation but if it is true, I absolutely blame those Democrats -- none of whom are great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But it is better for taxpayers if the cost goes to medical insurance providers, not taxpayers, which is what the police chief says in the article. When I was raped I went to Suburban Hospital, and a bill was absolutely sent to mu insurance company. Moreover, I would point out that under Ike Leggett, and DOug Duncan and former NOW President Duchy Tractenberg, uninsured pregnant women are forced to give birth at a hospital that bans contraceptive information. So women cannot get their tubes tied after child birth, and get no information on birth control after delivery, even if they are 15, unemployed and on their fourth child. Do we blame these great Democrats for this? No. Government is hard, give Palin a break. The fact of the matter is, this partisanship is destroying our country, and Palin actually has a track record of working with Dems (like the Democratic sponsor of this bill) to make positive changes for the people of Alaska.

Maybe this has to do with federal funding (from the current admin). When did this policy begin? I've heard of this happening at Catholic hospitals where a woman went in to give birth and requested that her tubes be tied while she was there; she got pregnant within a year and didn't understand why. The doctors never told her that they did not go thru with tying the tubes and didn't tell her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WHOOOO-YAH!!

Stupid sluts. Probably deserved it. And they think they're "entitled" to a rape kit. Sheesh.

I resent your comment. I was raped while in college-stalked and held by knifepoint and almost lost my life. At the hospital, the services were offered to me at no cost-but I paid because I was still covered by my parents health insurance (I was very young).

When you've been raped-you're really not in any condition to be making decisions-on any matter. But since you've probably have never been in this sort of situation-you wouldn't know that.

[Anonymous]

PP - that sounds like a horrible experience. I'd put a pretty big bet though, that the other PP making the crazy comments was just being facetious.

[Anonymous]

PP-you're probably right-but it's still very offensive.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, there are many jurisdictions where the victim ends up getting the bill. In MD, the health dept. pays. The state of NC only just this past August passed and funded legislation to pay for rape exams and prohibit hospitals from billing victims.

[Anonymous]

When I was raped in Springfield MO-during college in 1984-Rape Crisis picked up the tab at the hospital. I declined at the hospital because I had health insurance and felt that someone of lesser means might need it more than me. I remember that so well-I was being admitted, law enforcement officers surrounding me-and just wanting to lie down and die.

During the rape exam-every part of your body is "scrubbed" for fibers, hair, flesh, etc. Your nails are cut, hairs are pulled, not to mention the vaginal exam-which let me tell you from first hand experiece-is like being raped all over again. Halfway through the exam, I begged to them to stop. Then an officer would come in, talk to me, and the process would start again.

The fact that a rape victim should pay for an exam + the rape kit? That's inconceivable to me-because I've been there and I know how it feels to have someone grab you, put a knife to your neck, tell you that if you scream, he'll slice you up and you will die, then rape you while you're praying, vomiting, crying, wishing your mommy and daddy would help you (I was 20)-and no once is there to help you. Then you're shipped off to the hospital to be violated ALL OVER AGAIN. Do people really believe that a person, who has gone through a rape, should have to pay for a service that might help police track down a rapist? This world is heartless and it's getting worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Do people really believe that a person, who has gone through a rape, should have to pay for a service that might help police track down a rapist? This world is heartless and it's getting worse.

No I don't think someone who is violated should pay for a crime kit. When the police come to take finger prints after a home burglary, does the police charge the family for the the supplies they used? NO! Then why charge a rape victim? What the hell is wrong with people?!

Charging rape victims to get evidence from their bodies following a rape, adds insult to injury.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WHOOOO-YAH!!

Stupid sluts. Probably deserved it. And they think they're "entitled" to a rape kit. Sheesh.

I resent your comment. I was raped while in college-stalked and held by knifepoint and almost lost my life. At the hospital, the services were offered to me at no cost-but I paid because I was still covered by my parents health insurance (I was very young).

When you've been raped-you're really not in any condition to be making decisions-on any matter. But since you've probably have never been in this sort of situation-you wouldn't know that.

I'm very sorry for your pain.

My post was meant to be sarcastic.

[Anonymous]

Ok