Montana Public Radio
3.9.16 | Corin Cates-Carney
Montana lawmakers are considering a change to the state’s rape law. A draft bill would update the definition of “consent” in cases of sexual assault. Current law defines the term ‘without consent’ but leaves the word ‘consent’ mostly undefined.
The draft bill presented to the Law and Justice Interim Committee Wednesday would change that.
Missoula Deputy County Attorney Suzy Boylan says current law is outdated and doesn’t reflect the reality of sexual assault or current research on the crime.
“So we can tell victims, and I’ve been in this situation more times than I can count, I’m sorry you’ve been raped, but you have not legally been raped under our statute.”
