Spring Break
Court hands down new ruling on rape
Issue date: 4/24/08
Maryland criminal law defines rape in the first degree as "vaginal intercourse with another by force, or the threat of force, without the consent of the other."
"I think the court of appeals brought along into line with what many people in society already believe, that you are permitted to say no and your partner should respect that," Jordan said.
But some believe that the issue has been altered from the original case into a broader argument over a woman's right to consent.
"I think that as a matter of law, a second delay should not, cannot be considered rape. The court did not draw a distinctions between the five-second delay and a violent attack," said Mel Feit, director of the National Center for Men, an activist group located in Long Island, N.Y.
The new law will not affect Hopkins current policies regarding sexual assault.
According to Dean of Student Life Susan Boswell, a student coming forth with a complaint after the decision will trigger the same investigation as before.
The University investigates the claims through a judicial progress, with a disciplinary hearing to decide responsibility or non-responsibility.
With the decision, Maryland joins with seven other states whose court systems have also agreed to a woman's right to revoke consent.
"I think the court of appeals brought along into line with what many people in society already believe, that you are permitted to say no and your partner should respect that," Jordan said.
But some believe that the issue has been altered from the original case into a broader argument over a woman's right to consent.
"I think that as a matter of law, a second delay should not, cannot be considered rape. The court did not draw a distinctions between the five-second delay and a violent attack," said Mel Feit, director of the National Center for Men, an activist group located in Long Island, N.Y.
The new law will not affect Hopkins current policies regarding sexual assault.
According to Dean of Student Life Susan Boswell, a student coming forth with a complaint after the decision will trigger the same investigation as before.
The University investigates the claims through a judicial progress, with a disciplinary hearing to decide responsibility or non-responsibility.
With the decision, Maryland joins with seven other states whose court systems have also agreed to a woman's right to revoke consent.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 8
Ryan M Harrison
posted 4/27/08 @ 10:46 PM EST
This is absolutely absurd. Ability to withdraw consent aside, there was no force or threat of force - it's not rape in the first degree. Period.
Lindagw
posted 5/18/08 @ 5:40 PM EST
What is wrong with these law makers. Are they a bunch of sexually repressed old men or what? This law is as stupid as the AWA! Insane, feel good laws designed to get votes come election time, yet, destroys families, protects no one, endangers children as well as undermines the very U. (Continued…)
CJ
posted 5/19/08 @ 11:12 AM EST
Uh, I agree with the withdrawn consent being considered rape.
But, uh, 5-10 secs? C'mon.
AA
posted 6/24/08 @ 10:44 AM EST
Good !! I'm loving how f***ed up the legal system has become.
His life is gone. Life is one motion in time and does not turn back.
However, I hope all states adopt this law; because, the more they do this, the less will men be paying attention to rape "victims. (Continued…)
Lindagw
posted 9/11/08 @ 12:32 AM EST
Federal Judge Stops New State Sex Offender Law
A federal judge Wednesday put a stop to a new state sex offender law. The law would have reclassified sex offenders putting them in categories based on the crimes they committed. (Continued…)
Katherine Waite
posted 2/24/09 @ 1:09 PM EST
Thank you for writing the article, I am very pleased with how it came out.
Katrina Arkwright
posted 2/25/09 @ 6:57 AM EST
Good information. Thanks for the post.
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