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California to have first-of-its-kind 'Yes means yes' law to protect women from rapes

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ANI Washington

California legislature has recently sent the governor the first law of its kind called the 'yes means yes', which has been designed to reduce sexual assaults.

The bill was unique because it requires "an affirmative, conscious and voluntary agreement" before students have sex and the legislation also says a "lack of resistance or silence cannot be interpreted as a yes", CBS News reported.

Steve Meister, a defense attorney specializing in sexual assault cases, believes that the proposed law was confusing and will make little difference, as according to him if more chances would be given to a sexual assault victim to talk and tell their story in different ways to different people, the more problems would be created for the prosecutor and opportunities for the defense and that's what the bill would do.

 

If the measure passes, it would apply to California colleges and universities receiving state financial aid.

Advocates have also said that the bill would provide a "consistent standard" that wasn't currently in place. And California colleges would also have to improve their assault prevention programs.

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First Published: Aug 30 2014 | 2:11 PM IST

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