The bill, which is referred to as the “slapping law” downplays the “battery within families” charge to an administrative offense rather than a criminal one.
Sexual Assault Survivors Protest Jeff Sessions
This morning a group of sexual assault survivors, advocates and activists, led by national women’s advocacy group UltraViolet, went to Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) Capitol Hill Senate Office to present him with the Department of Justice’s definition of sexual assault and demand that he take violence against women seriously.
University of Minnesota Football Team Ends Boycott after Rape Details Released
Their decision to play in the Holiday Bowl Game came after the University’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action released an 80-page report on Friday detailing the gang rape of a female student on September 2.
Bill to Protect Military Sexual Assault Survivors from Retaliation Heads to President’s Desk
On Thursday the Senate approved a bipartisan bill that seeks to address retaliation against service members who report sexual assault.
Bill Cosby’s Deposition Permitted as Evidence in Sexual Assault Case
On Monday, the judge presiding over Bill Cosby’s criminal case in Pennsylvania ruled that Cosby’s 2005 deposition testimony in which he admitted to drugging and taking advantage of young women can be used against him at trial.
New York City Creates Task Force to Combat Domestic Violence
Friday morning, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the creation of a task force to combat domestic violence within the city.
Gun Control Referendums Received Close Votes on Election Day
On Election Day, Washington, California and Nevada all voted to strengthen gun control measures in the wake of Congress’ unwillingness to improve gun safety.
BYU Adopts Honor Code Amnesty Clause for Sexual Assault Victims
Brigham Young University announced on Wednesday that it will no longer investigate the student-victims who report sexual assault for breaches of the honor code.
Department of Justice Allocates $38 Million to Untested Rape Kits
The Department of Justice announced last month that it would allocate $38 million to state and local law enforcement agencies in an effort to address the extensive backlog of over 400,000 untested rape kits across the country.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Nuisance Ordinances
Local laws known as nuisance ordinances have been popping up in hundreds of towns and cities across the country, marketed as a way to deter criminal activity by fining landlords whose properties are frequented by the police. In reality, they punish victims of domestic violence by forcing them to choose between their personal safety and the risk of homelessness.
President Signs Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights
Today, President Obama signed into law the Sexual Assault Survivors Rights Act, establishing a set of guidelines for the federal government handles forensic evidence gathered after a person reports a sexual assault, otherwise known as a rape kit.
Pakistan Tightens Law on “Honor” Killings
Today Pakistani lawmakers passed a law that will mandate a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison for those convicted of honor killings.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Guns in Abusive Homes
The chance of a woman in an abusive household being killed by her partner quintuples when a gun is in the home.
California Terminates Statute of Limitations in Wake of Cosby Allegations
Last week California Gov. Jerry Brown approved the Justice for Victims Act, which will eliminate the state’s statute of limitations for prosecuting rape and other felony sex crimes.
California Enacts New Protections for Child Sex Trafficking Victims
More than half a dozen bills protecting child victims of sex trafficking were signed into law on Monday by California Governor Jerry Brown, including one that ensures minors cannot be criminally charged with prostitution.
Obama Administration Issues Title IX Guidance to K-12 Schools
Today the Obama administration released notices to K-12 schools concerning their obligations to prevent and address sexual harassment and assault under Title IX.
Congress Passes Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights
On Tuesday Congress unanimously passed the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights, which ensures that victims do not bear the financial cost of their own rape kits and that they will be appropriately informed of that kit’s results and legal status.
California Works to Close Rape Law Loophole
This week the California Assembly unanimously passed a bill that would establish a mandatory minimum sentence of three years in prison for anyone convicted of raping an unconscious person.
Another Light Sentence for a White Male Athlete Who Raped Two Classmates
Another judge has handed down a light sentence to a young man charged with two counts of rape and one count of indecent battery and assault after raping two of his high school classmates.
California Assembly Passes Bill to Eliminate Statute of Limitations for Felony Sex Crimes
The California Assembly unanimously passed a bill that would eliminate the statute of limitations for prosecuting rape and other felony sex crimes.
