Possible New ‘Consent Before Sex’ Law In California

When you're young and in collage, there's a large of amount of things to do like studying, classes, parties, and the occasional hook-up with a random person. Unfortunately it's all to often occurrence when rape is involved in college parties and sexual activity. One California law making is looking to ensure that all parties involved are willing participants with a new law about consent.

SB 967 looks to establish 'affirmative consent' on all state-ran California campuses. What does that mean? According to the bill:

An affirmative unambiguous and conscious decision by each participant to engage in mutually agreed upon sexual activity…Lack of protest or resistance does not mean consent. Nor does silence mean consent.

Basically both parties involved would have to reach a verbal or written on paper agreement before engaging in the act of sex. The bill furthers the explanation of affirmative consent by stating it 'cannot be given by anyone who’s incapacitated by alcohol, drugs or a mental or physical condition.'

Senator Kevin de León, who co-wrote the proposed bill, spoke with CBS Los Angeles:

I think this is really critical that we create a culture that’s respectful of women, that we create protocols that are transparent.

The federal government is currently investigating 55 colleges and universities. Obviously, there is a problem. SB 967 will change the equation so the system is not stacked against survivors by establishing an affirmative consent policy to make it clear that only ‘yes’ means ‘yes.’

The bill passed the Senate last month and now awaits passing from the State Assembly.

While rape is not joking matter, we can't help but think about this skit from the Chappelle Show.