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ANCHORAGE, Alaska — When Sarah Palin was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, the city billed sexual assault victims and their insurance companies for the cost of rape kits and forensic examinations.
Palin had been in office for four years when in 2000, the practice of charging rape victims got the attention of state lawmakers, who passed a bill to stop the practice. Former Democratic Rep. Eric Croft, who sponsored that bill, said he was disappointed that simply asking the Wasilla Police Department to stop didn't work. Croft said he doubts Palin was unaware of the practice.
Maria Comella, a McCain-Palin campaign spokeswoman, said Palin "does not believe, nor has she ever believed, that rape victims should have to pay for an evidence-gathering test."
To suggest otherwise, she said, is a "misrepresentation of her commitment to supporting victims and bringing violent criminals to justice."
Alaska routinely has the nation's highest rate of sexual assault.
Lawmakers became involved in 2000 when reports began coming in that police departments were charging sexual assault victims for the kits and the forensic exams, which cost from $300 to $1,200 at the time. The kit, a package of sample containers, swabs and other medical supplies, is used to collect evidence from attack victims.
Then-Gov. Tony Knowles said Thursday that Wasilla was unique in the state in charging rape victims for the cost of doing the law enforcement necessary for solving the crime.
The bill passed the Legislature over the objections of Wasilla PoliceChief Charlie Fannon, who said it would require the city to come up with more money to cover the costs of buying the rape kits and doing the exams.
Palin appointed Fannon chief after she fired his predecessor.
McClatchy Newspapers contributed to this report.
Palin had been in office for four years when in 2000, the practice of charging rape victims got the attention of state lawmakers, who passed a bill to stop the practice. Former Democratic Rep. Eric Croft, who sponsored that bill, said he was disappointed that simply asking the Wasilla Police Department to stop didn't work. Croft said he doubts Palin was unaware of the practice.
Maria Comella, a McCain-Palin campaign spokeswoman, said Palin "does not believe, nor has she ever believed, that rape victims should have to pay for an evidence-gathering test."
To suggest otherwise, she said, is a "misrepresentation of her commitment to supporting victims and bringing violent criminals to justice."
Alaska routinely has the nation's highest rate of sexual assault.
Lawmakers became involved in 2000 when reports began coming in that police departments were charging sexual assault victims for the kits and the forensic exams, which cost from $300 to $1,200 at the time. The kit, a package of sample containers, swabs and other medical supplies, is used to collect evidence from attack victims.
Then-Gov. Tony Knowles said Thursday that Wasilla was unique in the state in charging rape victims for the cost of doing the law enforcement necessary for solving the crime.
The bill passed the Legislature over the objections of Wasilla PoliceChief Charlie Fannon, who said it would require the city to come up with more money to cover the costs of buying the rape kits and doing the exams.
Palin appointed Fannon chief after she fired his predecessor.
McClatchy Newspapers contributed to this report.
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