Sexual assault survivors and state legislators rally for stronger protections for sexual assault survivors
Following the allegations against the Cornell students accused of raping a 20-year-old woman, dozens gathered at the Lou Gehrig Plaza, outside of Bronx County Courthouse. The message held on signs from some of the sexual assault survivors at the rally read "intoxication is not consent."
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A rally calling for change to a New York's sexual assault laws took place in the Bronx on Thursday.
"More than a year ago, we gathered at this very spot with that urgent request to close the loophole that denies justice for victims of sexual assault," said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark.
Following the allegations against the Cornell students accused of raping a 20-year-old woman, dozens gathered at the Lou Gehrig Plaza, outside of Bronx County Courthouse.
Leana Pardo was in the crowd om Thursday, advocating for others and sharing her story as a sexual assault survivor.
"I'm a survivor myself. In 2020, I was at a friend's house, and I had a drink or two and a friend that I trusted. Beat me up," shared Pardo.
Pardo is one of many survivors who said she can relate to the 20-year-old woman who accused seven Cornell students of rape.
"The rape didn't stop until I started vomiting. It was investigated. And the DA did not take any action, even though I had sexual assault records from my health care providers that said that I was sexually assaulted. Even though my injuries came with pictures, they did not move forward with my case because they did say that I was intoxicated, I was drinking, and I had waited a long time to be, OK to report it," Pardo continued.
The message held on signs from some of the sexual assault survivors at the rally read "intoxication is not consent."
Currently, New York's sexual assault law states a person is only considered "mentally incapacitated" if they were temporarily unable to understand or control their actions due to the influence of a narcotic or intoxicating substance administered to them without their consent.
Those at the rally are calling for that law to be changed.
"But if a person goes out with friends and voluntarily consumes alcohol or drugs and becomes intoxicated so that they're unable to say no and they're sexually assaulted, that scenario is not covered by the current law," said DA Clark.
Advocates say Thursday's rally is intended to build momentum behind the proposed legislation and make it a priority for lawmakers when they return to Albany in January.
