Revision of Oregon’s rape law heads to the governor's office
By Arrianee LeBeau KVAL NewsHB 2343 will change Oregon law so it won’t matter how a rape victim became intoxicated and vulnerable to be attacked. Under the current law, if a person is intoxicated and raped the suspect faces a less serious charge than if the suspect drugged the victim. Sexual Assault Support Services in Eugene said the changes to the current law will help prevent future violence, protect sexual assault survivors and prosecute attackers. “The way this law was before really supported that it was their choice to become intoxicated or drink alcohol. And it focused on the person that was intoxicated and not the person who assaulted the person under the influence,” said Elly Maloney. Maloney is the Self Defense Program Coordinator for SASS. SASS is a non-profit organization that helps support sexual assault survivors and their families. “We are really helping empower survivors to make whatever decisions they need to, to heal and recover. Whether that means reporting or not reporting, whatever choices they think are the best for them,” said Maloney. She said the organization’s main goal is to provide support to assault survivors to help them heal and recover. Several of SASS’s staff members worked with other state agencies to get this bill passed. “The emphasis is not on how a person who was victimized became incapacitated but it focuses on the fact that they were incapacitated. And they were unable to give consent,” said Maloney. Governor Ted Kulongoski’s office said the governor supports the bill and is expected to sign it by August. |
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