It is now an offence punishable by law to remove a condom during sexual intercourse without the consent of the other partner.
This is the new law in the State of California, United States of America.
The law was signed on Thursday ordering that anyone found guilty of ‘stealthing’ would be liable for general, special and punitive damages.
The word ‘stealthing’ is a slang for the non-consensual removal of a condom during sexual intercourse.
Consenting to the law on Thursday, California Governor Gavin Newsom said it is now a civil sexual battery offence under state law for someone to remove a condom without the consent of their romantic partner.
According to Cristina Garcia, a State Assembly Member who is said to have sponsored the legislation,, “For majority of the people, it’s like, yeah, it makes sense that this is immoral and it should be illegal.”
Reuters quotes Garcia as saying that, “A lot of people told me, I can’t believe it’s not already illegal,”
She added that, “I have been working on the issue of ‘stealthing’ since 2017 and I am elated that there is now some accountability for those who perpetrate the act. Sexual assaults, especially those on women of colour, are perpetually swept under the rug.”
After the bill was passed, Garcia cited a study by Yale University that called stealthing “a grave violation
Garcia after the bill was passed, cited a study by Yale University that called stealthing “a grave violation of dignity and autonomy” and said cases affecting women and gay men were on the rise.”
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Now a Punishable Offence to Remove Condom Without Permission During Intercourse