New Ohio bill closes ‘archaic loopholes’ allowing marital rape [Video]

OHIO, USA — After several years of attempts, the Ohio Senate unanimously passed legislation to end a loophole that eliminates exceptions to sex offenses that apply if the victim is the spouse. 

“In Ohio, we have archaic loopholes that essentially allows for, in some cases, for a spouse to rape their spouse,” York said.

The bill removes the current exemptions for married couples. A spouse was protected from prosecution of rape unless there was a certain amount of force used or if the couple did not live together. This means spouses could use coercion or intoxicants to impair the other and not be prosecuted.

“Historically, marital relationships have been deemed not to be for public policy,” Rachael Gardner, the director of victim services for YWCA said.

Gardner said …