February 21st, 2017 by WCBC Radio
The Maryland Senate gave its preliminary approval Tuesday to a pair of bills designed to lift a major barrier to prosecuting rape and to ensure that physical evidence of sexual assaults is preserved.
The final debate and vote on the bills is expected on Thursday.
The first bill would make clear that it is not necessary for a victim to show they resisted their attacker. Maryland's rape statute doesn't explicitly require that, but courts have ruled that it's necessary evidence to show that the victim was forced into having sex.
Advocates for sexual-assault victims say the change would lead to many fewer cases' being dismissed as unfounded by police.
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