New York's Speaker Carl Heastie is shielding rapists from justice by blocking legislation aimed at closing a loophole that prevents prosecution in cases where victims are intoxicated.
The loophole allows predators to exploit their victims, as the state law shields perps who prey on women who have consumed alcohol or drugs. This policy has serious consequences, particularly for vulnerable groups such as black and Latina women, who face lower prosecution rates than white women.
Studies show that 84% of sexual assaults involve alcohol or drugs, with nearly three-quarters of college-aged victims having consumed alcohol before their assault. However, New York's law presumes a victim is fully conscious if she has voluntarily consumed alcohol. This assumption allows predators to avoid accountability even when the victim is incapacitated.
The bill to close this loophole has been introduced multiple times in the state Senate but continues to stall in the Assembly due to Heastie's resistance. His reluctance stems from his concern that closing the loophole might disproportionately affect black and brown men, whom he fears would be sent to jail. However, his reasoning is flawed as it fails to acknowledge that this loophole has a devastating impact on victims' lives.
The New York City rape rate continues to rise, with reports increasing 16% in 2025 compared to last year. Meanwhile, the governor remains silent on the issue, failing to take action or publicly support the legislation. This inaction is particularly concerning given Hochul's leadership role and her responsibility as a governor to protect her constituents.
The proposed bill establishes a simple new standard: if a reasonable person can see that someone is too intoxicated to appraise or control their conduct, sex with them should be considered a crime. This is not a radical idea but rather a matter of basic decency.
Heastie's obstructionism must end, and Hochul must finally take a stand by publicly supporting this legislation, including it in her Executive Budget next year, and daring Heastie to block it if he opposes it. The time for justice has come – one that prioritizes the rights and dignity of New York's women.
The loophole allows predators to exploit their victims, as the state law shields perps who prey on women who have consumed alcohol or drugs. This policy has serious consequences, particularly for vulnerable groups such as black and Latina women, who face lower prosecution rates than white women.
Studies show that 84% of sexual assaults involve alcohol or drugs, with nearly three-quarters of college-aged victims having consumed alcohol before their assault. However, New York's law presumes a victim is fully conscious if she has voluntarily consumed alcohol. This assumption allows predators to avoid accountability even when the victim is incapacitated.
The bill to close this loophole has been introduced multiple times in the state Senate but continues to stall in the Assembly due to Heastie's resistance. His reluctance stems from his concern that closing the loophole might disproportionately affect black and brown men, whom he fears would be sent to jail. However, his reasoning is flawed as it fails to acknowledge that this loophole has a devastating impact on victims' lives.
The New York City rape rate continues to rise, with reports increasing 16% in 2025 compared to last year. Meanwhile, the governor remains silent on the issue, failing to take action or publicly support the legislation. This inaction is particularly concerning given Hochul's leadership role and her responsibility as a governor to protect her constituents.
The proposed bill establishes a simple new standard: if a reasonable person can see that someone is too intoxicated to appraise or control their conduct, sex with them should be considered a crime. This is not a radical idea but rather a matter of basic decency.
Heastie's obstructionism must end, and Hochul must finally take a stand by publicly supporting this legislation, including it in her Executive Budget next year, and daring Heastie to block it if he opposes it. The time for justice has come – one that prioritizes the rights and dignity of New York's women.
... like, how can you be so clueless? this loophole is a total joke. and what's with your excuse about black and brown men getting hurt too? that's not the point! the point is to hold predators accountable for their actions, no matter how drunk or drugged the victim is 
. and another thing, if the governor can't be bothered to take a stand on this issue, then what's she even doing in office 
? Hochul needs to step up her game and support this bill already! it's not that hard 
like whats going on here? 84% of sexual assaults involve alcohol or drugs & he's just gonna sit back & let ppl get away w/ it because they're "too intoxicated"?? that's not how justice works!!! 
his reasoning is super flawed too, ppl think he's worried about black & brown men but idk why he's so hung up on that 
the gov should just step in & support the bill ASAP 
especially w/ the NYC rape rate still on the rise... this is not a joke anymore! 
. the fact that he's worried about black and brown men being locked up doesn't make sense - we're talking about predators here, not just regular guys who made a mistake 
.
its not like its a hard concept 2 grasp. u catch someone who cant consent & ur outta there. period.