The Minnesota Supreme Court took 50 steps back when they ruled that a person can’t be found guilty of sexually assaulting someone who is mentally incapacitated due to intoxication, if that person voluntarily ingested drugs or alcohol. By doing this they are blaming victims for their intoxication and assault rather than the person who willingly took advantage of their incapacitation.
According to knowyourix.com, only seven percent of survivors of incapacitated sexual assaults are reported, making the culture of blaming women for their behavior more relevant, and showing what the Minnesota Supreme Court ruling will only leave more victims blaming themselves when they are sexually taken advantage of in a state with little sympathy for victims.
If a person is intoxicated, they cannot give their full consent to any sexual act, and the Minnesota Supreme Court justices made it clear that they disregarded the meaning of consent and its value within this case.
According to The United States Bureau of Justice Statistics, a sex crime is committed every 73 seconds. Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) has created and provided several resources and programs in efforts to create awareness, promote safety on campus and create an understanding of what is and is not consent. According to CityData.com, 2.9 percent of crimes committed in Kingsville, Texas is related to rape.
As TAMUK hosted the almost annual event A Mile in Her Shoes, students recognized the impact of sexual assault and the statistics that the month of April tries to bring light. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and TAMUK has established that it will do everything in its power to raise awareness for victims.
With politicians making alarming decisions, everyone must be aware of the enormity surrounding sexual assault and the impact it continues to have for its victims.
