Mayor Palin to Rape Victims: Pay us for your rape kit

By: relawson
Published On: 9/8/2008 10:29:37 PM

Imagine being the victim of rape. As a man, I honestly can't imagine how that would feel for a woman. As a victim of rape you would expect law enforcement and your city to do everything they can to catch the person who raped you. Right?

Now imagine if your mayor and your police chief forced you to pay for the rape kit, at a cost between $300 and $1200! Imagine the indignity you must feel if you cannot afford that kit! You need not imagine. This actually occured while Sarah Palin was Mayor of Wasilla:
 

JO C. GOODE / The Frontiersman / May 23, 2000 http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2000/05/23/news.txt

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.

Unbelievable. This story was published in 2000.
Palin served two terms on the Wasilla, Alaska city council from 1992 to 1996, then won two terms as mayor of Wasilla from 1996 to 2002.
Right between Palin's term!

Comments



Mind Boggling (SullyEsq - 9/9/2008 9:40:59 AM)
Why legislation would be needed for this result and why anyone would oppose it is absolutely mind boggling.  Charging the kit as court costs to the accused?  Sure.  Charging the victim for gathering evidence?  That is insane.  Completely insane.  It would be nice to know if Mayor Palin responded to her police chief's appalling comments.  A lack of response would be unforgivable.


Whats next? (Pain - 9/9/2008 9:46:00 AM)

What now, are we to swipe our credit card when the police arrive to investigate a home break-in?


Alaska and rape (Rebecca - 9/9/2008 10:26:33 AM)
Alaska has the highest rate of rape and incest per person in the nation. I guess that's what happens when there is no one around to hear your screams.  


I must be dense (DSD - 9/9/2008 11:35:04 PM)
The headline of this post makes a connection that I don't see in that story.... Don't get me wrong, I can't stand Palin, but seems a little sensational. Is there more about Palin's involvement in this debacle that's not linked here?  


Palin is the mayor of a town with 8000 people in it (relawson - 9/10/2008 7:32:25 AM)
She alone, with a single phone call, can tell the police chief that rape kits will not be charged to rape victims.

It's about accountability.  She was the mayor of that small town - the buck stopped there.