Connecticut and New York are looking to implement procedures that will make it more difficult for students accused of rape to defend themselves.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed for 2016 a "'Victim/Survivor Bill of Rights' whose language presumes the guilt of anyone accused of 'sexual violence.'" The bill leaves out the words "alleged" and "allegation" as to not give accused students accused of rape a change to claim their innocence when such violations take place.
Brooklyn College professor KC Johnson explained that the bill would take away any student's chance to explain their side of the story. "It would mean the accused couldn't claim that the accuser 'actually consented' to intercourse or even 'simply lied,'" he said.
Ahead of New York, a Connecticut joint legislative committee approved an affirmative consent bill, though some had concerns about the bill's clarity when it came to the definition of sexual activity.
Read more about the actions being taken here.
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