By Morgan Clark
It was recently in the news that California might be the first state to declare stealthing as illegal. A bill was introduced by Cristina Garcia in Febraury to make stealthing an act of sexual battery, allowing victims to take legal actions if needed. Stealthing is the act of removing one’s condom without consent during intercourse. When I learned about this bill, I was happy and upset at the same time. I’m happy because we are moving in the right step to acknowledge that this is an act of sexual assault and those who are victims should be able to take legal actions. I’m upset because there is a chance that this bill will not be pass. Also, there are 49 states that have not recognized stealthing as an act of sexual assault which allows assaulters to continue this act with little to no consequences.
There are also those who do not see this as violation, but more of a misunderstanding. This is not true. As a victim of stealthing, I know this. If you make it clear that you want to use protection during intercourse and the other person chose otherwise is violating. It takes away your agency of your body. It also puts you in risk of unwanted pregnancy and STI. So why do they do this? According to gynecologist Dr. Sumayya Ebrahim and their research in 2019, they believe their victim’s body is their possession. They also stated it feels better without protection, to spread their seed and the thrill of degradation. Yet, many people believe that stealthing is the “grey area” of sex, which in my opinion does not exist. Even if someone were able to convince me there was a grey area (doubt it), stealthing would not fall in that category! I hope the officials in California pass the bill so they can be an example for the other 49 states.
Sources: https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/why-stealthing-is-a-violation-of-consent/12639172