Raped women charged for rape kits - under Palin's watch
by Jess McCabe // 9 September 2008, 23:01
It's got to be unusual for crime victims to be charged a fee by the police to investigate and collect the evidence - surely? But rape is clearly just a different sort of crime. So it's OK to bill rape victims for processing rape kits, in a way that would never happen a million years to, say, a victim of a stabbing or shooting, or any other sort of crime at all.
This un-fucking-believable behaviour has been uncovered thanks to the presidential elections in the US, because it happened in Wasilla, Alaska, during Sarah Palin's time as mayor.
The practice was outlawed in Alaska in 2000, according to the Frontiersman, which leads with this unbelievable stinker:
Gov. Tony Knowles recently signed legislation protecting victims of sexual assault from being billed for tests to collect evidence of the crime, but one local police chief said the new law will further burden taxpayers.
Yeah, that's right, the police chief thinks it's totally outrageous that the taxpayer pays for the police collecting basic evidence on crime. Wonder how seriously that police chief takes rape, eh?
Via Shakesville, and everywhere else on the feminist internet.
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Caroline // Posted 10 September 2008 at 00:07
"further burden taxpayers" - you are having a laugh??! Jesus Christ, that.... I'm shocked. I just cannot believe anyone would think any of that is perfectly reasonable.
Carol // Posted 10 September 2008 at 06:15
Well, I think it's clear Palin is no support for feminism. However, to put it in its context, I am told by an ex-Alaskan that there is a strong ethos in the state of opposition to ANY tax. The people generally have a No Tax philosophy - not just the low tax one of Republicans elsewhwere.
cb // Posted 10 September 2008 at 06:44
That is beyond unbelievable.
Harpymarx // Posted 10 September 2008 at 10:02
Yeah, in other words it's the woman's fault for getting raped. That's the distorted logic of the likes of Palin and this police chief.
It is utterly utterly disgraceful
sianmarie // Posted 10 September 2008 at 12:47
as hadley freeman sais in the guardian the other day, a vote for a woman is sadly not always a vote for women. it is so sad. and such a disgusting policy!