Earlier today I became aware of a story that disturbed me so much I searched for an hour to find evidence it was false.  Unfortunately the more I looked the more I found to support it.

In 2000 it came state legislators attention in Alaska that rape victims or their insurance companies were being billed for rape examination kits, which cost between $500 to $1200.  It's unclear if this was done by some rural police departments or only by Wasilla's.  In 2000 the Alaska Legislature outlawed the practice based on negative feedback from citizens.  The former Governor of Alaska Tony Knowles (D) signed the bill into law making it illegal to charge victims or their insurance companies for rape examination kits.  At the time Governor Knowles signed the bill into the law the Wasilla police department was charging victims or their insurance companies for the rape kits.  The mayor of Wasilla at the time, Sara Palin.  No matter what I think about Governor Palin I didn't want to believe she supported this so I continued to dig.  I wondered what was in a rape kit and here is what I found: Rape Kit Contents.  What is not mentioned on that site is that rape kits also contain Emergency Contraception, sometimes referred to as the morning after pill.  It is no secret that Governor Palin is against abortion even in cases of rape or incest and I'm certain that she would be against any form of what she felt would be state subsidized abortion.  Governor Palins spokeswoman Maria Comella said the governor never supported a policy to make victims foot the bill.  I question this statement because while Sarah Palin was mayor of Wasilla she dotted every I and crossed every T.  It's common knowledge that rape victims are offered voluntary HIV test and Emergency Contraception.

I have heard many women say they are supporting Sarah Palin for many reasons but I wonder if they're aware of who they are supporting.  I respect Governor Palins right to her beliefs but do the rest of us get a chance to practice our beliefs? How many women didn't report being raped while this policy was in place?  Being charged for a rape kit would have been the equivalent of being victimized financially.  Most of have a hard time coming up with $500 for car repairs, imagine getting a bill in the mail for being sexually assaulted. 

We may never know if she supported this practice, but we do know it went on under her watch.  If she is going to be a heartbeat away from the Presidency the public needs to know who and their personal beliefs will effect their decisions.