Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's hometown required women to pay for their own rape examinations while she was mayor, a practice her police chief fought to keep as late as 2000.
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At up to $1000 per kit, it is not difficult to imagine the impact that Wasilla's policy had on rape investigations. How many victims decided to forgo reporting the attack to the police because of the chilling effect of this policy?
Why did the then mayor, and now governor and vice-presidential aspirant, implement this policy? Was it to save money? Or was there some other agenda in play? Regardless of the motive, what about the need to conduct an investigation, make arrests, and secure convictions? What about the need to protect the citizens?
I think we are capable of drawing our own conclusions about the impact of this policy on women, victims, and the community.
Click here to read a NY Times Editorial for an update on this issue.
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