Kathleen Miller recently wrote an article about a new bill proposal that could make Wyoming’s rape case policy a model for the nation.
Wyoming could become a “model for the nation,” a national feminist organization said, if the Senate approves a measure to amend the state’s rape shield law.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Keith Gingery, R-Jackson, unanimously passed the House of Representatives. It would ban most of a victim’s sexual history from becoming a part of the trial. Current Wyoming law calls for “judicial discretion,” which means it’s up to a judge to decide what parts of a rape victim’s sexual past can be discussed in the courtroom.
“Judicial discretion is a scenario in which a woman bringing a rape case is rolling the dice as to how much information about herself and her sexual past will be brought into trial,” Justine Andronici, legal adviser for the Feminist Majority, said. “Anything that we can to do prevent unnecessary, embarrassing and irrelevant information from being brought into a rape trial is good.”
Shielding alleged victims as such can cause more women to press charges against rapists and sexual assiliants. Unfortunately, an estimated two-thirds of sexual assault victim don’t report the incidents. This means that rapists continue to walk the streets, most likely leading to the victimization of more innocent people.
What do you think?
