New York Broadens Legal Definition of Rape

The new law, effective from September 1, includes various forms of nonconsensual sexual contact and aims to make it easier for victims to prosecute perpetrators.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a bill expanding the legal definition of rape to include various forms of nonconsensual sexual contact, including anal, oral, and vaginal sexual contact.
The new law, effective from September 1, 2024, aims to make it easier for rape victims to prosecute perpetrators and is expected to particularly benefit members of the LGBTQ community.
The previous definition, which limited rape to vaginal penetration by a penis, was a factor in writer E. Jean Carroll's sexual abuse and defamation case against former President Donald Trump.
Carroll's case was highlighted during the bill signing ceremony, with Hochul stating that the new definition will help eliminate legal gray areas that defendants exploit.
The move is seen as a significant step towards acknowledging the experiences of sexual assault survivors and holding perpetrators accountable.