This is the title of a story by Alaska blogger Shannyn Moore, published yesterday at Alaska Report. Moore covers details of Alaska's rape epidemic, Sarah Palin's policies, and brings to light some details that have not yet seeped into the MSM, which I will discuss below the fold.
It is important to note that information on Alaska's status as the rape capitol of the US is seeping into the MSM.
ABC had this headline story yesterday:
Please Digg it
UPI: Palin record on women's issues questioned
Guardian UK Alaska: rape capital of America
Moore describes a rape victim:
I sat with a rape victim during the "harvesting of evidence". Mascara smeared eyes stared blankly out from a cave of shame. "We've got swimmers," announced the forensic tech in the lab next door. My friend didn't look surprised. In her 60's, she was still asked if she felt the need for emergency contraception. Surviving the process would have only been compounded and made worse with an itemized bill; victimized twice courtesy of Sarah Palin and the city of Wasilla.
Moore discusses the impact of Wasilla's past policies:
Our dirty secret had to do with a woman's right to be safe from rapists. This right to choose was not only threatened, but abolished with Sarah Palin's archaic policy as Mayor of Wasilla. The rape kit included emergency contraception. To be sure, emergency contraception is not, nor does it cause an abortion. In fact, ec prevents pregnancy and therefore reduces abortions.Under Palin's Administration, "Life Begins at Rape" for women unable to pay for their forensic evidence gathering. Justice is served to women who can afford it and denied for those who can't. I live in Alaska-the wealthiest of the 50 states! Forcing rape victims to pay for their own forensic rape kits is something one would expect to find in a fundamentalist country overseas. I have outrage fatigue. I can't decide which facet of this policy is more upsetting. Is it the denial of justice for the poor? Is it the punishment of women who had been raped? Is it the political policies of a woman so entrenched in the "Pro-Life" movement she would deny justice to a victim? This is not a "Pro-Life" policy. This is a "Pro-Rapist" policy, and forced pregnancy policy.
It should be noted Joe Biden introduced legislation to fund rape kits to women in America. John McCain voted against it.
Moore cites an amazing piece of information. Stop rape by banning the sale of a doll?
Under the Palin Administration, a law was passed that specifically deals with rapists. I am not making this up. It is now illegal for Alaskans to buy or sell the "Rapist No. 1" doll. Oh, you haven't heard of it? It's an "action figure" from Quentin Tarantino's film "Grindhouse." Yes, really. So now if you're raped, you can take comfort in knowing Alaska outlawed an action figure.For all the Alaskans who have taken the charge to protect fellow citizens from predators, this was A GIANT WASTE OF TIME. It's embarrassing to write this. Who in the hell has been prosecuted for this "outrageous" purchase. Did she think people in Alaska with the propensity to rape women were suddenly dissuaded because they couldn't buy a movie action figure?
If Alaska's sexual assault statistics were true for the rest of the country, rape would be considered an epidemic and the National Guard would be called up. As Mayor and Governor, Sarah Palin has made justice illusive to criminals and forensics a commodity that victims must purchase. Meanwhile, rape prevention sits on the backburner. Being a rape victim isn't necessary for outrage. You don't need ovaries to protect the physical sanctity of fellow citizens. Life does not begin at rape, it just gets harder.
I'm not a fan of Palin diaries, and agree that our primary focus is the economy, but rape is an issue that grabs at the hearts and minds of women everywhere, crossing the political spectrum, and few are willing to take hardline positions about rape - even those who are open advocates against abortions.
Making sure this information gets out can change the minds of many women who may have been bedazzled by Palin having been put on the Republican ticket.
Other TM articles include AP:
Palin's town billed rape victims to get evidence
The Boston Herald: Alaska pols: Wasilla charged victims for rape kits
I wrote a long diary at Daily Kos here: Alaska: rape, incest and domestic violence; Palin and Monegan which gives links to the data on the rape and incest epidemic in Alaska, and explores the impact on Native Alaskans.
Action Item.
It has been discussed here that many young women are not currently engaged in Roe v Wade issues. They are however very concerned about rape, and contraception. Please contact your nearest Women's Studies Department at local colleges and universities to ask what they are doing to educate students on their campus about these issues.
We registered over 100 young women to vote in my Women's Studies class last Friday. We are discussing the election next week, and how the policies of McCain-Palin will have an impact on their lives and rights to contraception, and rape protection. We are also highlighting Joe Biden's stance on domestic violence, and Barack Obama's position about protecting children from sexual predators.
Here are links to Women's Studies Programs on the web:
Artemis Guide to Women's Studies in the US
Women's Studies Programs, Departments and Research Centers
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