Politics & Government
D.C. Police Can't Investigate Fain Rape Claim Without Report
Last week, a Seattle woman accused state Sen. Joe Fain, R-Renton, of raping her in a Washington, D.C., hotel room in 2007.
RENTON, WA - Police in Washington, D.C., will not investigate a rape allegation made against state Sen. Joe Fain, R-Renton, unless a formal report is made, a department official says. Candace Faber, a former city of Seattle employee, last Thursday went public with a claim that Fain raped her in a D.C. hotel room in 2007.
D.C. Metropolitan police spokesman Hugh Carew told Patch the department "would only investigate a sexual assault if it’s reported." But Faber has said she does not want to pursue criminal charges. Carew said the report would have to be filed by Faber.
"I do not believe we have a criminal justice system that can adequately handle sexual violence or bring healing to both sides. I am waiting [for Fain] to respond in the hope that we can resolve this issue without requiring personal legal action," she wrote on Twitter Wednesday.
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Fain has denied Faber's allegations, but he has asked for an investigation - something that might be handled through the state Legislature.
According to D.C. criminal laws, some types of sexual assault are still prosecutable today. U.S. Department of Justice spokesman Bill Miller highlighted that first and second-degree sexual assault have a 15-year statute of limitations. Lesser charges, like misdemeanor or third-degree sexual assault, have a 10-year limit on prosecution.
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Faber said she was inspired to go public with her experience after watching Christine Blasey Ford testify in front of the U.S. Senate last Thursday.
"Like Dr. Ford, I can no longer remain silent knowing that the man who raped me is in a position to influence the laws that govern my state and impact every woman who lives here. I do not believe that survivors have a civic duty to speak out. I believe that we have a civic duty to believe survivors," she wrote in an essay published last Thursday.
Fain is up for reelection this November. He has represented the 47th Legislative District - which includes part of Kent, Federal Way, and Auburn - since 2010.
Image via state of Washington
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