Legislation signed by Governor Hochul updates legal definition of rape, protects survivors and holds perpetrators accountable

ALBANY, NY- Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation this week, with aims of modernizing New York State law to protect survivors of rape and hold perpetrators accountable for sexual assault.

The legislation, known as the ‘Rape is Rape’ bill, updates the definition of rape in the penal code to ensure that additional forms of nonconsensual, forced sexual conduct can be prosecuted as rape.

Since taking office, Governor Hochul has prioritized supporting survivors including by signing the Adult Survivors Act, implementing new protections for survivors of domestic violence, and cracking down on human trafficking. “We are reassuring survivors that when they walk into a police station or approach the witness stand that the full weight of the law is behind them now going forward,” Governor Hochul said.

“Rape will be treated like the horrific crime that it is. The voices have been heard, and we affirm that justice will be served."

The updated law removes the penetration requirement from the rape statutes and also defines rape as vaginal sexual contact, oral sexual contact, and anal sexual contact.

The existing statue excluded oral and anal rape from being called rape and required a higher standard for vaginal rape.

By modernizing these statutes in New York State Law, the Governor says this legislation ensures all survivors are protected from these crimes and offenders will be held fully accountable.

Governor Kathy Hochul image.