[Vision2020] Rape Kit Costs

[Tom Hansen]

Thank you for your immediate response.

It is this kind of policy that makes me proud to be a citizen of the Gem 
State.

Thanks again.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

> Dan:
> 
> Chief Weaver is out of town this week so I wanted to respond to your
> inquiry. 
> 
> I have attached the two Idaho statutes that pertain to your discussion
> on who is responsible for paying for medical examinations of sexual
> assault victims.  When the exam is requested by a law enforcement agency
> then the statue applies and the cost will be paid by the crime victims
> compensation account.  
> 
>                        COMPENSATION OF VICTIMS OF CRIMES
>     19-5303.  COST OF MEDICAL EXAMS TO BE PAID BY LAW ENFORCEMENT
> AGENCY. When the victim of any crime is directed or authorized by a law
> enforcement agency to obtain a medical examination for the purpose of
> procuring evidence for use by a law enforcement agency in the
> investigation or prosecution of the crime, the expense incurred shall be
> paid by the law enforcement agency. Provided however, the cost of
> forensic and/or medical examinations of alleged victims of sexual
> assault shall be paid for from the crime victims compensation account,
> as established by section 72-1009, Idaho Code. The provisions of this
> section shall not be construed to require a law enforcement agency to
> bear the expense of any medical treatment of the victim.
> 
> 
>                           CRIME VICTIMS COMPENSATION
>     72-1009.  CRIME VICTIMS COMPENSATION ACCOUNT. The crime victims
> compensation account is hereby established in the dedicated fund. Moneys
> shall be paid into the account as provided by law. Moneys in the account
> may be appropriated only for the purposes of this chapter, which shall
> include
> administrative expenses.
> 
> David J Duke
> Moscow Police Department
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com
> [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com] On Behalf Of Tom Hansen
> Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 1:43 PM
> To: Dan Weaver
> Cc: vision2020 at moscow.com
> Subject: [Vision2020] Rape Kit Costs
> 
> Chief Weaver -
> 
> While browsing around the internet I came across a blog entry, from the
> US 
> News and World report, concerning costs related to processing and 
> administering rape kits being passed on to the victims.  This blog entry
> 
> is pasted below.
> 
> As atrocious as this practice seems to be, it is also reported (in the 
> blog entry) that such costs normally become the responsibility of the 
> victim in many communities.
> 
> My question:  Without violating any confidentiality, may I ask what the 
> practice is of Moscow, if you are aware of such information.
> 
> Thank you for your anticipated reponse.
> 
> Respectfully,
> 
> Tom Hansen
> Moscow, Idaho
> 
> >From US News and World Report at:
> 
> http://tinyurl.com/6j4ma4
> 
> ---------------------------------------------------------- 
> 
> Sarah Palin and the Rape Kit Question 
> 
> The blogosphere is reporting that when she was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska,
> 
> in the late 1990s, Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's 
> municipal police department charged rape victims for the "rape kit" used
> 
> to collect the forensic evidence necessary to convict their attackers. 
> According to reports, this changed in 2000 when then Alaska Gov. Tony 
> Knowles signed a bill protecting rape victims from being charged. As I 
> wrote recently, however, the situation described in Wasilla is not
> unique. 
> In all too many instances, women are still being stuck with the bill for
> 
> rape kits. This despite the fact that in order to qualify for federal 
> grants under the Violence Against Women Act, states are supposed to pick
> 
> up the entire tab. 
> 
> If on her watch Sarah Palin allowed women to be charged for rape kits,
> she 
> has some serious explaining to do. But while she's undoubtedly the most 
> visible offender, if the story is true, she's unfortunately not the only
> 
> one to have permitted this reprehensible practice. 
> 
> 
> 
> ---------------------------------------------
> This message was sent by First Step Internet.
>            http://www.fsr.com/
> 
> 
> =======================================================
>  List services made available by First Step Internet, 
>  serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.   
>                http://www.fsr.net                       
>           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> =======================================================
> 


"Jesus was a community organizer and Poncius Pilate was a governor."

- Marilyn Trail, sister of Representative Tom trail (September 8, 2008)

----

"We're a town of about 23,000 with 10,000 college students. The college 
students are not very active in local elections (thank goodness!)."

- Dale Courtney (March 28, 2007)


---------------------------------------------
This message was sent by First Step Internet.
           http://www.fsr.com/