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Sexual assault victims must pay some costs for rape kits

Submitted by WWAY on Wed, 02/13/2008 - 3:01pm.READ MORE:
RALEIGH (AP) -- State records show that many sexual assault victims must pay for the tests they undergo after an alleged attack. According to records and victim advocates, some victims pay only the $50 insurance copay for an emergency room visit. But others are left with hundreds of dollars in bills. Hospitals send emergency room bills for uninsured patients to the state Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. The agency enables reimbursements up to $1,000, though the average cost of a rape kit exam is $1,600. The executive director of the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault said rape victims are treated differently than victims of other crimes. She said rape kits provide DNA evidence for investigators, yet robbery victims aren't charged when their homes are checked for fingerprints. (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Rape Kits

Submitted by Deb P (not verified) on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 4:16pm.
The whole reason for the exam is to gather evidence that will lead to a conviction. No, the victim nor the victims insurance should ever have to pay for the Rape Kit. I am sure that a rapist rarely thinks about getting caught. He knows like everyone else that unless he kills his victim or seriously physically injures her he will probably never be brought up on charges. As a matter of fact, when a woman reports a rape, she is the first one to be under suspicion. The savvy rapist knows this. I hate to say this, but until it happens to you or a loved one, this brutal crime will never be fully understood. So, these predators go on and on sometimes for their entire lives without being caught. The first step to getting these criminals is granting the victims the dignity and the safety they need to come forward. Rape is not a sex act. This point obviously has to be understood. A part has been stolen from her that can never be replaced. Rape is a brutal crime that is committed by someone who is a danger to society. They need to be put in the penal system the same as other criminals. This issue of paying for the Rape Kit is the tip of the iceberg. The next question should be Why has it gone on this long? The next question should be, how do we detour Rape altogether?
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ABSURD!!!

Submitted by Guest2008 (not verified) on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 4:58pm.
NO rape victim should have to pay for this kit to be done! That is completely outrageous to me!! They are already suffering and will continue to suffer every day because of some animal! Then have to PAY to be examined so that the monster who did this will be found and charged? I'm appalled!!!
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Here's a thought

Submitted by WilmMan on Fri, 02/15/2008 - 10:24am.
What's wrong with having part of our tax money set aside to pay for these kits? Here's a solution, or at least a thought. Set aside a portion of our tax money to pay for these kits, when/if it goes to court and someone is found guilty, that person will be required to pay for the kit plus some. If at some point they find out that the female is leing (ie the Duke case) that female would have to pay for the kit. If no suspect is found, then the money would just come out of the tax money set aside. All monies paid back for the kits would go back into the fund set aside by the tax money
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Rape Kit Charges

Submitted by Guest5555 (not verified) on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 1:49pm.
Other states have victim's compensaton funds and have the information to give the victim at the time he/she is examined. There is no worse humility and degredation than being raped, going through the forensic exam, and then being told you have to pay for some of it too! Rape affects all ages, genders. For what reason it is compared to someone being robbed not getting compensated is absurd. You are trying to compare apples to oranges. Yes, both are a victimizing experience, however, living with yourself and your family after such a horrible thing like rape will never leave you. Let's get on board and follow suit with other states and not victimize the victim anymore!
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Rape Victims

Submitted by Guest01234 (not verified) on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 9:10am.
There needs to be away to help those rape victims that dont have the money to pay for this kit. The goverment helps with other things some not so important. Why cant they start a fund for these less fortunate, they already have enough to deal with from what has happened to them.
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