RAPE IS RAPE: SIGN NOW TO END CALIFORNIA'S SPOUSAL RAPE LOOPHOLE
Senate Public Safety Chair Steven Bradford
Spousal Rape Exceptions can’t be a thing in 2021...can they? These days that kind of law, essentially defining a wife as her husband’s sexual property, is unimaginable, right? Wrong.
California remains one of a small handful of states that continue to distinguish spousal rape from non-spousal rape and treat it as a far less serious crime. We must take action now, and we ask the legislature to pass AB 812 and SB 530, and the Governor to sign it into law without delay. These bills will ensure that in California all rape is treated equally under the law, regardless of any relationship between the victim and the perpetrator.
Step 1: Let California Legislators know that we demand action NOW. Sign our petition to send a message of support straight to the Public Safety Chair to get this bill out of committee. The politicians know we’re right, now we just have to let them know we’re also impossible to ignore.
Sponsored by
To:
Senate Public Safety Chair Steven Bradford
From:
[Your Name]
Dear Senate Public Safety Chair Steven Bradford,
I am writing you in support of SB 530, which would end the spousal rape exception in California.
Although all states outlaw spousal rape in some form, California remains one of a small handful of states that continue to treat spousal rape as a far less serious crime than rape of a non-spouse. California voters are often absolutely shocked to learn that our progressive state continues to maintain this antiquated distinction that is based on the antiquated idea that men have a right to sexual access to the bodies of their wives.
The spousal rape double standard sends a terrible message to victims of sexual violence perpetrated by spouses, and to society in general, that spousal rape is less serious and less harmful to victims than rape by a non-spouse. This in turn may make victims less likely to report these crimes or seek help.
Meanwhile, there are disturbing indications that spousal rape is increasing, along with other intimate partner violence, during COVID. A recent report by the San Jose Police Department stated that although rapes show an overall decline of 9.4% over the last year, domestic and spousal rapes doubled.
We must take action now, and you must vote SB 530 out of committee to ensure the bill's speedy passage. Along with AB 812, SB 530 will ensure that in California all rape is treated equally under the law, regardless of any relationship between the victim and the perpetrator.
California's spousal rape law is a historic relic. It is a slap in the face to all women and sexual assault survivors and it must go. Senator Bradford: it’s time to toss these laws into the dustbin of history where they belong.
Thank you