Rape Victims Can Be Hurt Financially, Too

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Unfortunately, victims of most crimes bear the cost of any medical care associated with the crime. Over 3000 municipal hospitals (particularly in smaller towns without large budgets) pass the cost of rape kits on to victims.
It's not just rape, either.
In a car wreck? You'll get stuck with the ambulance bill--likely $1500 or more. It gets better: your health insurance company and car insurance companies won't pay any of your medical costs because they think they can go to court and get payment from the other party. That leaves you stuck with unpaid bills--sometimes in the tens of thousands while your credit rating bottoms out. Quick settlements are 18-24 months. Ouch.
Sarah Palin did not invent this practice, and Wasilla is not the only town that charges victims for after care. Do not make this political.

SK of TX 6:36PM September 22, 2008

It is insane and immoral that this is still going on. BOTH Presidential candidates come from areas that do or did this. Palin's town actually started doing it when she was still mayor and they had to pass a law banning it because of her.
It is totally unethical to do this to rape victims. There is no reason, in the 21st century, why they cannot simply stop this practice. All it would do is discourage people from coming forward.

of MN 11:59PM September 18, 2008

I read an article online in the Anchorage Daily News yesterday, where a local reader commented that the reason Palin resisted shifting the financial burden of the rape kits to the police department budget was because at the end of the exam, the rape victim is offered EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION.
Does anyone know if this is the case or standard in police rape kits? Given Governor Palin's stated opposition to a woman's right to an abortion cases of rape or incest, this certainly seems like a valid reason and an important issue to research.

Amy Helton of NV 10:42PM September 13, 2008

Please see the information provided here:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/9/124815/2904/672/592233

Annie of IL 3:45PM September 11, 2008

This is very relevant. We have a 72-year old presidential candidate who would be 80 by the end of his second term. There is a very real possibility that the VP would be president. I too, am a female, originally from FL, but I have a very different take on what Palin's policies as Mayor have on the election. Unfortunately, this and her couple of years as governor are all we can really know about how she would lead our nation. I find making the victim pay for a rape kit sickening. It goes right along with learning that she fired a librarian for not removing "morally objectionable" literature from the library. She seems to represent all that was wrong with the past- putting the victim on trial, deciding what is right and wrong for society. I am not sorry for being outraged for the practice of making the victim pay and letting it influence my voting decision.

Barbara Rix of NC 12:02PM September 10, 2008

Has anyone noticed that this is a national election at a time when the economy is in trouble, the public is being required to bail out private companies because they are "too big to allow to go under"--or that Russia is planning to move weapons into
Venezuela, or that there is a war on and an international terror movement out to get us, we are overrun with illegal labor that is driving down the number of , and pay for, jobs --by the millions --for citizens, etc.
Of course there ought to be compensation for rape victims. But a national election ought not to turn on what may have been the law in the VICE presidential candidate's town during her terms as mayor.
Of course, if we keep up this focus we can ignore all of the discussions about the actual presidential candidates that may shed some light on who they really are and on how the country will fare under each with respect to the earth shaking issues of the day.

Female of FL 12:07AM September 10, 2008

I was raped March 16 2008. My husband was the one who called 911. I was rushed to the hospital. I endured a timely exam, a million questions and multiple stitches. I was out of work for 4 weeks, which was unpaid, because mental state is not considered a short term disability claim. So with income for a month, and I now have a $3700.00 ER visit that I am responsable for. Also the co pays for my doctor's and the every 3 month lab work and exams are my responability too. I am not only ashamed, but baffled on how this is mine to take care of. I undestand for the first time in my life why so many women don't report rape. I was also mistreated, ignored, jugde by law enforcement. Eventually the detective for my case was too busy, short staff, and tired of my calls. That my case was sent to the DA's incomplete. Where it was denied. But, I was told after they weren't going to take my case further, that I am more welcome to write a letter to the DA about their descion. I am so embarassed of our Criminal Justice System, and Health Care Providers, THIS MAKES ME SICK. Pretty much I feel at this point. Why should rape be a crime? If it is such an inconvinance for others.

Jamie M of OR 4:05PM July 17, 2008

I was raped march 2nd 2008. I just now recieved my bill, estimating a total cost of 2,ooo dollars, that I DONT have. I never wanted to go to the hospital in the first place, but it was well advised by close friends,( who picked me up from the scene where i was left ). Reluctlantly I went and even after all the horror, I have to look at a bill that will inevitably be hanging over me for many years to come. I did the right thing by turning this case in and I got slapped in the face by my own state. I give my state taxes every year and this is how I am thanked.. Chanrging victims MUST stop--for our sanity alone, but evenmore so it is disgracingly and morally WRONG!

sarah of NC 1:25PM March 31, 2008

I was raped in 2004. I was so ashamed of the whole incident I didn't want to report it, but did with the coaxing of friends. Thank god. But then the exam was horrible. The doctors and nurses were harsh and cold. They acted like I was inconveniencing them. Never mind that I was a scared 20 year old. Before they even administered the exam they tried to collect insurance information or informed me that I would have to pay for the entire thing out of pocket. This is a world class hospital with University affiliation. Yet this is the treatment a 20 year old rape victim/student/ local resident received. It is no wonder that women do not want to report this. Especially any woman without health insurance. The entire incident was emotionally exhausting and financially draining. Without insurance i would have been billed $1500. They got there money. It seems it was all they wanted in the first place.

R. Gibbons of MO 10:18PM March 02, 2008

As a health-care worker of 15 years, and a student of Criminal Justice this makes my heart race. Women should never be charged a dime for a rape kit or any forensic evidence to be processed. Our goal is not to punish the victim financially but to gain access to the truth. Besides being ashamed, fear of retaliation to them or their loved ones for reporting the crime, NOW THEY HAVE TO PAY THE BILL! I encourage all women to write their local congressmen and stand up not only for women's rights but all victim's rights.

T Immel of OK 11:44PM February 28, 2008