Rape victims forced to pay for their own exams

[Fifthfiend]

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/on-healt...ially-too.html

Apparently it isn't just Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin who thinks this is a great idea.

I don't know how I didn't know this goes on. I can't imagine a single other crime where the cop shows up at the victim's doorstep and presents them with a bill before he will conduct an investigation. I mean I would almost prefer that this be the result of straightforward misogyny, as the alternative is that we are just a society where it is acceptable to tell victims of a crime that they can get justice as long as they cough up the price.

What really stands out to me is that the federal government has handed out millions in grants in the last few years for like, riot gear and tasers and Humvees and every other manner of tool for the intimidation and harassment of lawful citizens. But when it comes to the means to actually investigating the commission of crimes, there's just no money to be found.

[The Wizard Who Did It]

Originally Posted by Fifthfiend

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/on-healt...ially-too.html

Apparently it isn't just Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin who thinks this is a great idea.

I don't know how I didn't know this goes on. I can't imagine a single other crime where the cop shows up at the victim's doorstep and presents them with a bill before he will conduct an investigation. I mean I would almost prefer that this be the result of straightforward misogyny, as the alternative is that we are just a society where it is acceptable to tell victims of a crime that they can get justice as long as they cough up the price.

What really stands out to me is that the federal government has handed out millions in grants in the last few years for like, riot gear and tasers and Humvees and every other manner of tool for the intimidation and harassment of lawful citizens. But when it comes to the means to actually investigating the commission of crimes, there's just no money to be found.

For one, females aren't the only people raped. Probably the majority, but not the only.

Two, this is probably a counter for people who want to fake a rape claim on somebody (which does occur). Could maybe be justified if I knew the statistics for it to actual crimes and it was a bad ratio.

Not saying this is a good thing, just pointing out a couple of things.

[Terex4]

I'm sure there are tons of false rape claims out there which would in turn make this yet another example of people having to suffer because of the actions of a few idiots.

The government has no idea how to budget properly. This country is falling apart on many levels due to poor budgeting.

Edit: My fiancee found some more info on this http://www.feministing.com/archives/010930.html

[Fifthfiend]

Originally Posted by The Wizard Who Did It

Two, this is probably a counter for people who want to fake a rape claim on somebody (which does occur).

This really shouldn't be in any way relevant to a police investigation. Any type of criminal accusation could be and has been faked, from theft to assault to negligent injury to murder. The entire reason we have a criminal justice system is to determine the truth of such allegations or suspicions. This is no excuse for picking out a selected class of alleged victims and saying that they have to incur a substantial monetary charge to even be considered as having a case by that system.

I mean this is directly analagous to you being assaulted and robbed at gunpoint, and then after you make it to a hospital and contact the police, they inform you that you must pay them a thousand dollars to prove that you aren't lying before you aren't saying. Or putting it another way, it is akin to the police telling you that if you do not have a thousand dollars to pay them, they will assume that you are lying and refuse to take your case seriously.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Isn't this just stepping towards feudal style private justice for those who can afford. Two laws, one for the rich, one for the poor.
I really don't know what to say about this. I'm fairly sure the US can afford a police force if everyone else in the world can.

[Wigmund]

Originally Posted by Smarty McBarrelpants

Isn't this just stepping towards feudal style private justice for those who can afford. Two laws, one for the rich, one for the poor.
I really don't know what to say about this. I'm fairly sure the US can afford a police force if everyone else in the world can.

That's life in the US to be honest.

As to the rape-kit, I'd rather pay that with taxes - I'm willing to pay more sales tax, property tax, income tax, or whatever it needs to be to cover the costs of using those kits. It's a small price to pay even if some are lying when they report a rape - there's too many real rapes that go unreported in this country to give women (or men) another excuse not to report the most heinous invasion of personal space.

[BitVyper]

False reporting may be a problem, but under-reporting is a bigger problem by far. Forcing victims to pay for their own exams only makes that worse.

[Mirai Gen]

The intent was to make it so less false reports are filed, but I see absolutely no logic in discouraging actual rape victims due to insufficient monetary funds being a good thing.

[Darkblade]

I say that the payment should depend on the results of the test. If negative, make em pay. If positive pay out of county/state/gov money.

[ironymaster]

I would only agree to this if the victems got to decide the punishment of the people who raped them.