I wish this headline was a joke. I sincerely do.
But what other explanation can there be when Sarah Palin charged rape victims -- victims, not the attackers -- $1,200 for a chance to catch the criminals who assaulted them?
Details via Feministing.com:
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.
Let's put this into perspective. One of the services that almost every American (with the exception of a few hardcore Libertarians, I suppose) agree that our government should provide is policing and investigation into crime, especially of a violent nature. Rape, one of the most difficult to prosecute, disproportionately affects women -- young women, in fact. If Palin wants to play fierce mother hen in her stump speeches, I suggest she explain how it is that she wouldn't do everything in her mayoral power to make sure that rapists be caught and prosecuted.
What adds insult to injury here is her stance on abortion for rape victims. So, not only did she neglect to support women who were raped in getting the evidence they needed to get justice, but she doesn't believe they should have the right to choose what happens with their bodies after they've endured such violation.
As one commenter put it:
She's a disgusting human being. How many women can honestly afford $1200 for a rape kit? And how soulless and spiritually bankrupt do you have to be to even consider charging women for this?
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