New York Rape Law Reform

New York Governor Hochul Pledges State Rape Law Reforms Following Cornell Crisis

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has pledged to make changes to the state's rape law regarding voluntary intoxification, which is currently difficult to prove sexual assault if a victim voluntarily consumes alcohol or drugs. Currently, individuals cannot consent to consent by reason of being mentally disabled or mentally incapacitated, which generally applies to involuntary consumption of drugs or alcohol. Hochil also appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor on the case, and Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff has agreed to an independent review. The case attracted national attention after the student-run Cornell Daily Sun reported the woman's claim that several men raped her at the Chi Phi house after forcing her into consuming drugs. The woman's account was omitted from the materials Cornell police sent to Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten, who declined to pursue charges without interviewing the woman.

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