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University Daily Kansan, January 21, 1983
Kansas House to debate change in rape law
By DIANE LUBER Staff Reporter
Spouses will no longer be completely protected from rape charges or convictions if a bill introduced last week in the Kansas Legislature becomes law.
The Special Interim Committee on Judiciary recommended the introduction of a bill that would allow a spouse to be prosecuted for rape, if it occurred when the couple were living in separate residences or when either spouse had filed for divorce, separation or annulment.
THE HOUSE JUDICIARY Committee will begin hearings on the bill.
The existing statute defines rape as the act of sexual intercourse committed by a man with a woman, who is not his wife, without her consent and when her resistance is overcome by force or fear.
"This is a step in the right direction," said Pat Kehde, volunteer for the Rape Victim Support Service and coordinator for the KU Information Center.
Cathy Boyer-Shesol, chairperson for
the kansas Organization of Sexual Assault Centers and executive director of the Wichita Area Rape Center, said she agreed with Keke's view. But, she said, 11 states had eliminated all spousal exemptions.
"THEY'RE RECOGNIZING that rape is a violent crime, not a sexually motivated one. It has more to do with control," she said.
Patty Doria, volunteer and past director of Lawrence's Women's Transitional Care Service, said, "My only regret is that our legislators did not look to those states for a comprehensive law on the issue of marital rape. We applaud the efforts of the legislature to continue this work and we urge them to go further protecting the rights of women in the marriage contract."
But other officials say the more comprehensive laws are difficult to implement.
CLARK OWENS. Sedgwick County district attorney, said, "We have a lot of practical problems with elimination of the snusual exemption. It's difficult
to prove rape. It's more difficult if it can be shown that the two people knew each other. But it's even more difficult if the two people are married."
He said information he had received from California, one of the 11 states with stricter laws, led him to believe that it would be difficult to get convictions in cases of marital rape and child abuse. He would have to be shown for conviction.
Cases involving marital rape are often dismissed by the wife because the couple have worked out their marital problems, he said.
Owens did say he was pleased that the bill did not require victims to prove that they had resisted.
"IT SHOULD NOT be an element in a rape case." he said.
State Rep. Robert Frey, R-Liberal,
chairman of the House Judiciary
Committee, said he had sponsored a bill
that would replace the element of
resistance from the law.
"It passed the House with no problems, but I felt it was not handled well."
Legislators' resistance to change and women legislators' reluctance to openly support the bill were two obstacles blocking its passage, he said.
"Women suffered because of partisan politics that had nothing to do with rape."
Kebde said that she was glad that the bill would eliminate the need to prove resistance.
HE SAID THAT some of the legislators who had opposed the bill last year, including former state Rep. Karen Griffiths, R-Newton, and former state Sen. Jane Eldredge, R-Lawrence, were no longer in office.
"It acknowledges that some people cannot respond in a way that we would define as resistance. Some people freeze," she said.
- expand the definition of rape to include rape with an object
- create the offenses of sexual battery and aggravated sexual battery
The bill would also:
- make women as well as men subject to the provisions of the rape statute
- apply the rape shield statute to sex-related crimes other than rape.
The existing rape shield law provides that evidence of the victim's previous sexual conduct is not admissible in the prosecution of rape cases unless a special finding of relevance is made by the trial court.
Boyer-Shesoi said she was glad that the interim committee recommended creating the offenses of sexual battery and aggravated sexual battery.
*IT'S HARD TO prove rape and even more difficult to prove an attempted rape.
Owens said that the charges of aggravated sexual battery and of rape with an object would bring convictions in cases that had previously gone unprosecuted. The bill also allows for heavier sentences in cases where loopholes in the existing law have allowed light sentences, he said.
KANSAS UNION BOWLING-BILLIARDS VIDEO GAMES CENTER
HOURS
Mon.-Friday 9 AM-11 PM Saturday 12 PM-11 PM Sunday 12 PM-4 PM until further notice
SPRING BOWLING LEAGUES STARTING WEEK OF JAN.17,1983
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
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7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Greek
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7:00 p.m.
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7:00 p.m.
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T. G.I.F.
Starts Jan. 17
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Starts Jan. 19
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For Further Information Call Jaybowl 864-3545
SPECIAL Bowling 1-6pm 75c per game
KANSAS UNION
Worlds of Fun is conducting an audition tour in search of the best in Midwestern talent to appear in our bigger-than-ever 1983 show program. If you sing (pop, rock, country), or dance (tap, jazz), you can earn over $4,800 performing six days per week during the summer, and weekends in the spring and fall.
"All the world's a stage" at Worlds of Fun. This year, in addition to singers and dancers, we are searching for barbershop quartettes, jugglers, magicians, comics, belly dancers, mimes and bluegrass bands.
For more information and a complete audition schedule, contact the Show Productions Department, Worlds of Fun, 4545 Worlds of Fun Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri, 64161; (816) 459-9276
STREET ENTERTAINERS TOO!
It can be a great part time job, or The First Step. It's fun, professional experience, and great exposure — more than 1,400,000 Worlds of Fun visitors are waiting to discover you!
THE CLOSET AUDITIONS:
Lawrence, Kansas
Kansas University
Thurs., January 27, 1983; 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Kansas Union - Big Eight Room
Should you be unable to attend this one,
we will also conduct auditions in
Kansas City on January 15, 22, 29, 30.
COME SEE IF YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH.
Worlds of Fun The Best Stage Experience In the Midwest. jobs are available for dramatic acting, or instrumentalist
No jobs are available for dramatic actors, or instrumentalists
MIDNIGHT FLICK FRI. & SAT.
ADM.
BOX OFFICE OPENS AT 11:30
$350
Varsity
Downtown 843-1065
SUA SPRING BREAK 1983
March 13-19 SUA is sponsoring a
ski trip to Steam-
bear Beach
Spring, Colorado. We'll be
staying in Storm Meadows
Condominiums, right on the
slopes, for five days of the best skiing you've ever had.
Transportation, ski rental, lodging, lift tickets and many extra rides are included in the $328 package, or if you wish, you can build your own package.
Watch the UDK during the next 2 weeks for more info on this trip.
Steamboat
Campus Sunday Menu
Butter Homestyle Meatbowl
Mushroom Sauce
Thick sliced and covered with our delicious
mushroom sauce.
Hot Roast Beef Sandwich Thin sliced roast beef on breed with whipped potatoes and gravy
Baked Homestyle Meatloaf,
Broiled Chopped Beef Steak,
Mushroom Sauce
Tasty ground beef broiled to your request.
Chicken Fried Steak,
County-Styled Gravy
Tender beef steak, lightly battered and
tender to a golden color,
topseasoned with garlic.
Tasty ground beef broiled to the request
amothered in our delicious mushroom sauce.
$4.75
Sunday - 2:00 · 9:00 p.m.
All entrées are served with Manager's Salad Selection Potato and Vegetable of the Day, Roll and Butter, your choice of coffee, tea, or tart tea, and Dessert of the Day.
(WITH K.U. IDENTIFICATION)
Campus Sunday Menu
Grilled Beef Liver and Onions With Bacon
Tender grilled beef liver topped with sautéed onions and a crisp bacon strip.
Cheddar Burger
Juicy ground beef served with
melted cheddar cheese.
Mushroom and Onion Burger
Juicy ground beef patty served with mushrooms, onions and Swiss cheese
Patty Melt Two ground beef patties served with grilled onions and cheese
Sunday - 2:00 - 9:00 p.m.
All cottons are served with Manager's Salsa Selection Potato and Vegetable of the Day, Roll and butter, your choices of coffee, tea, or lick tea, and Dessert of the Day.
(WITH K.&L IDENTIFICATION)
$4.75
On the record
TWO KU STUDENTS reported to police yesterday that an armed robber stole $485 from them Wednesday evening, police records say.
POLice Sgt. Larry Loveland said the students reported that the robber had asked them for a ride to get gas as they entered the building Family Fun Center, 1601 W. 23rd St.
Once in the car with them, the students reported, the robber threatened them with a gun and forced them to him to an apartment complex nearby.
At the complex, Loveland said, the
bater stole their money and left the case.
THE WINDSHIELD of a car that belonged to a KU student was smashed Wednesday night while parked at 1345 W. Campus Dr., police reports said.
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Public Restaurant Private Club
Sit amidst a relaxing atmosphere, as you enjoy our deliciously prepared, affordable gourmet meals.
Sunday is KU night.
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with KU ID!
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