This is crazy! The sexual assault victims are being violated twice once by the rapist and once by their government! It was bad enough when Sarah Palin the former mayor of Wasilla AK approved the city budget that charged rape victims for the rape kits that are used to collect evidence, but this is Houston TX!
Rape Victim Billed For Evidence CostsAnd it is not like the crime victim’s fund doesn’t have any money…
By Stephen Dean
POSTED: Thursday, May 7, 2009
UPDATED: 12:12 am CDT May 9, 2009
HOUSTON -- Victims of sexual assault are getting bills, rejection letters and pushy calls from bill collectors while a state crime victims' fund sits full of cash, Local 2 Investigates reported Thursday.
"I'm the victim, and yet here I am. I'm asked to pay this bill and my credit's going to get hurt," said a single mom from Houston.
She received bills marked, "delinquent," after she visited a hospital where police told her to have evidence gathered. Officers assured her she would not pay a dime for that rape kit to be handled.
Texas State Comptroller's office figures show the fund has tens of millions of dollars left over at the end of each year.
In September 2006, the balance was $67,058,646 and one year later, the balance was $57,669,432.
In 2008, that figure was up again to $66,572,261 that was left unspent in the fund.
Update: 5/17/09
It now seems that the Houston press was in error. The Texas Association Against Sexual Assault has put out their own statement, saying in part:...
An Open Letter to Sexual Assault Victims in Texas
Filed Under Announcement | By Melissa Heald
Recently a Houston television station ran a story about a rape victim who was billed for her own rape exam. The news piece implied this was a common practice in Texas despite being told by several sources, including the Deputy Director of the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA), that this was not the case. This news story, riddled with inaccuracies and half truths, was picked up by other news outlets and blogs and it took on a life of its own. Activists, advocates, survivors and other concerned individuals from around the country were justifiably angry and began to demand answers and action. The problem is there isn’t really a problem, just the perception of injustice that is spiraling out of control.
TAASA is concerned that this misinformation will have a chilling effect on a rape victim’s willingness to report the crime and get a forensic/medical exam (rape kit). We want to assure everyone that the cost of a forensic exam is not billed to the victim. This is always the responsibility of law enforcement and they in turn can be reimbursed for up to $700 though the Crime Victim’s Compensation (CVC) fund. If the cost exceeds this amount it is absorbed by the law enforcement agency or hospital, not the victim.
how unbelieveably horrific. How can they get away that?! It's outrageous, and disgraceful
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