A new law went into effect July 1 that allows victims of sexual assault to bring a civil case against 'stealthing.'
Armstrong Williams takes on the news of the week and asks the questions you want answered. Don't miss our weekly town hall.A new law went into effect July 1 that aims at bringing a path to justice for sexual assault victims.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed bills into law during his last legislative session earlier this year. One of the laws includesStealthing is defined as tampering or removing sexually protective devices without consent. This law gives stealthing victims the ability to bring a civil suit against their perpetrator. “I did not consent to unprotected sex and I felt deeply violated," said Mina Hashemi, who testified before the Senate's legal committee back in February in favor of the bill. During her testimony, she shared that she had consented to have protected sex with a man but was shocked to find out that the condom had been removed without her consent. “I experienced deep anxiety about unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections I missed work to go to the doctor to get tested and spent money on Plan B," Hashemi said. Stealthing laws typically involve condoms, but in Washington, the definition of "protective devices" is broader. The bill includes condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, dental dams, spermicides, and any other barrier that is meant to deter pregnancy and the spread of disease. “It gives victims a clear pathway to file a civil suit, the burden of proof is much lower in a civil suit than in a criminal case and the victim doesn’t have to depend upon a prosecutor to file the case," said Mark Lindquist, an attorney who had handled criminal assault cases. On the House floor, the bill had some pushback from state representatives who argued the bill wasn’t fair to men.“In addition to making the process of filing a civil suit more clear, the bill also sends a message that if you do this you will be held civilly liable," Lindquist said.
Law Victims Consent Washington Civil Suit Sexual Assault Protective Devices
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