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House Defends Spouse Sexual Assault Victims

April 7, 1998
By: Tristin Yeager
State Capital Bureau

The state House passed a Republican leader's bill supporting married victims of sexual assault. Tristin Yeager reports from the state capitol.

The bill takes away marriage as a legal defense for the crimes of sexual assault and deviate sexual assault.

The bill passed by a wide margin, but there were Representatives who spoke in opposition to the bill.

Kansas City area Republican Fredrick Pouche:

Actuality:pouche1.wav
RunTime: :15.305
OutCue: "...through all the way."
Contents: Pouche says he has reservations about the bill and that he thinks the bill sounds a bit anti-family.

Bill sponsor, Republican Representative Don Lograsso said the bill corrects an oversight of previous legislation. The bill now goes to the Senate.

If you are married, a bill passed by the state House would not allow you to use marriage as a defense for sexual assault against your spouse. Tristin Yeager reports from the state capitol.

Sponsor of the bill, Western Missouri Republican Representative Don Lograsso gave examples of what is currently allowed under state law.

Actuality:logras2.wav
RunTime: :22.989
OutCue: "...our statute says that."
Contents: Lograsso says if he comitted sexual assault or deviant sexual assault he would have an absolute defense under current law.

The bill would no longer allow marriage as a defense for sexual assault or deviate sexual assault. The bill passed with a vote of 131-4 and the bill now goes to the Senate.

Under a bill passed by the state House, marriage would no longer be a legal defense for sexual assault. Tristin Yeager reports from the state capitol.

It was a top Repbulican House leader who introduced the legislation. Representative Don Lograsso says his bill would protect spouses from sexual crimes and prevent criminals from abusing the system.

Actuality:logras1.wav
RunTime: :12.663
OutCue: "...against their will."
Contents: Lograsso says that you should not be able to say to a court judge that marriage excuses one spouse from sexually assaulting another.

Lograsso says the bill corrects an oversight in previous legislation that stripped marriage as a defense for violent sex crimes.