In case you were unaware (as I was), current Maryland law has a spousal defense for sexual assault. Luckily, the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) has been active in getting this section of the law repealed. SB250 will do just that. When you read the text of the bill: the part of Maryland law to be repealed is the text encased in [ ].

The bill has passed the Maryland House and is currently in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, of which Senator Michael Jackson is a member. His is a pivotal vote on this bill. Thankfully, Sen. Jackson supports this bill without watering it down.

Please express thanks to Senator Jackson for his support of this important bill. Here is suggested text for an email, but feel free to express your thoughts in your own words:

Dear Sen. Jackson,

I am writing to thank you for your full support for SB 250, which repeals the spousal defense to charges of sexual assault.  This is an important bill for all married women in Maryland.  It confirms that Maryland law no longer views us as our husbands’ property, and it ensures that all men can be held accountable for sexual assault regardless of their relationship with the victim.  We thank you for your support of the bill as written and for standing for the principle that “Love is no Defense to a Sexual Crime.”

For more on this and other issues, visit the MCASA web site.