Cornell rape allegations lead to renewed scrutiny of laws on intoxication and consent
The case has renewed pressure on lawmakers as prosecutors cite a law that can limit charges when victims became intoxicated voluntarily.
- Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten declined to pursue criminal charges in a 2024 Cornell University fraternity gang-rape case, citing state laws requiring proof of force or involuntary incapacitation.
- New York is one of 19 states where rape laws classify victims as mentally incapacitated only if they were drugged without consent, creating a 'voluntary intoxication loophole' that complicates prosecutions.
- Stefan Turkheimer, vice president of public policy for RAINN, labeled the legal standard 'straight-up victim blaming,' warning that it deters victims from coming forward and prevents prosecutors from pursuing severe incapacitation cases.
- State Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz slammed stalled reform proposals as 'outrageous,' declaring the Cornell case represents 'exactly the type of situation this legislation would address,' as Van Houten reopened the investigation.
- Minnesota, Michigan, and Texas updated sexual assault laws to allow charges regardless of how intoxication occurred, a shift Dr. Chinmoy Gulrajani argues is necessary because the assailant should know the victim lacks capacity to consent.
6 Articles
6 Articles
Cornell rape allegations lead to renewed scrutiny of laws on intoxicat
A woman’s account of being sexually assaulted at a Cornell University fraternity house has advocates and lawmakers renewing their criticism of a New York law that makes it more difficult to prosecute people who have taken advantage
The Independent
The Independent (US)How an outdated NY rape loophole blocked charges in Cornell fraternity case
A woman’s account of being sexually assaulted at a Cornell University fraternity house has advocates and lawmakers renewing their criticism of a New York law that makes it more difficult to prosecute people who have taken advantage of others too intoxicated to consent to sex
Associated Press News
Cornell rape allegations lead to renewed scrutiny of laws on intoxication and consent
A woman’s account of being sexually assaulted at a Cornell University fraternity house has advocates and lawmakers renewing their criticism of a New York law that makes it more difficult to prosecute people who have taken advantage of others too intoxicated to consent to sex.
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