Overview

• 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.