New law changes punishment for rape and sexual assault of unconscious or intoxicated people

Sexual assault – it happens on campuses just like Allan Hancock college – but it doesn’t discriminate

“[It affects] males and females – boys and girls; it’s across socioeconomic backgrounds.. it really doesn’t matter – it hits everywhere,” explains Alison Wales, Associate Director of the North County Rape Crisis Center.

A new law is now changing the way these crimes are being handled – rape and sexual assault with an unconscious or intoxicated person now has a mandatory minimum sentence that requires prison time.

“I think it’s gonna be better and I think I think it’ll make the campuses and our world safer,” says Allan Hancock College student Sadie Miller.

Before this legislation, rape and sexual assault with an unconscious or intoxicated person was a lesser crime than that of a conscious person.

“Some people feel that “oh, she was unconscious she doesn’t know what happened, it was just sex so who cares” – but it’s not about sex it’s about someone who was violated,” says Wales.

One student says however, that this new law will not stop these assaults from happening

“I don’t think a bill protects people, I think people being good people protects people,” Robert York, a Student at Allan Hancock College tells us.

Alison Wales says she’s happy the new law is causing these crimes to be brought to the forefront of people’s minds, telling us: “I think it’s a step in the right direction and giving it appropriate attention.”

The new law will go into effect January 1st, 2017.