Support AB1171 to End Spousal Rape Exception

I strongly urge you to stand with survivors of rape and domestic abuse and ensure the swift passage of AB 1171 to repeal CA Penal Code 262. It is imperative that California treat spousal rape as equal to non-spousal rape under the law. Rapists who are convicted of raping their spouses should face the same accountability as those who rape a non-spouse without exception. CA is one of the last states to maintain such an archaic and discriminatory spousal rape exception. Rape is universally acknowledged as a crime of violence both physically and psychologically harmful to the victim. Rape is rape, regardless of the relationship between a rapist and their victim. Please join the broad coalition of criminal justice reformers, women’s organizations, service providers for sexual and domestic abuse, and elected leaders to ensure the passage of AB 1171 as written.