(Trends Wide) — California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Thursday that makes the state the first to ban “stealthing,” that is, removing the condom, or the condom, during sexual intercourse without the verbal consent of the partner. .
The new law turns the withdrawal of a condom without consent into a sexual assault, and affirms that this practice “causes long-term physical and emotional harm to its victims,” according to State Assemblywoman Cristina García, a Democrat and author of the bill.
Garcia, who has long advocated for the law, said reports of stealthing were increasing among gay women and men. García says he hopes other states will adopt similar legislation that makes it clear that “the stealthing It is not only immoral but illegal. “
Garcia is also the author of bill AB 1171, which Newsom also signed, to remove the “spousal rape exception” and “ensure that spousal rape is treated and punished with the same seriousness as non-spouse rape,” according to the assemblywoman.
“Rape is rape,” Garcia said. “And a marriage license is not an excuse to commit one of the most violent and sadistic crimes in society.”
In a statement, San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin said: “This bill will ensure that our laws protect all victims and survivors of sexual abuse and that rape committed against a spouse is treated with the same seriousness before the law that rape against any other victim and survivor. I support AB 1171 to achieve necessary protections for victims and survivors of domestic violence who experience sexual abuse and to hold those who commit spousal rape accountable. “
Garcia tweeted Thursday: “I’m glad the question ‘Are you not married?’ it will no longer be done to victims. “