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North Carolina - take a stand!

Heather Nagel-Doughtie

Today our editor in Charlotte, Aleigh Acerni, alerted her North Carolina users of a serious issue where rape victims in NC are forced to pay up to $1,600 for the collection of evidence that can lead to the prosecutions of their rapists.  Click here to read more.

This story first broke back in February in Raleigh by the News & Observer.

The North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault has an online petition seeking more legislation that would allow for more funding to cover the additional costs of these rape kits and hospital services.

If you are a resident or have a friend or family member that is a resident and would like to sign this petition click on the link below. 

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/nccasa20/petition.html

The petition states:

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To:  nc government
Should Rape Victims Pay for Forensic Evidence Collection Kits?

• 3,000 survivors OF RAPE are getting rape exams every year
• Average rape exam costs $1,600
• Rape Victim Assistance Program (RVAP) only pays up to $1,000 per survivor and is only a payment of last resort (leftover expenses are billed to survivor).
• Hospitals are billing survivor’s private insurance first, RVAP will then pay remaining balance if it does not exceed $1,000 – if does exceed, survivor is responsible for the remaining balance.

Many North Carolinians are outraged! Take a stand and tell your elected officials that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! We, the undersigned, ask all elected officials to ensure that rape victims in NC are not billed for evidence collection (rape kits).

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If you know of other states that are facing this same issue, let us know below.  If you know someone in North Carolina that should sign this important petition – email them a link to this post.  It is important that we all stand together to combat violence against women.

-h