Michigan House votes to end ‘marital rape loophole’ if spouse is drugged – By Dave Boucher (Detroit Free Press) / June 21, 2022
Right now, a person who drugs and rapes his or her spouse could be protected from prosecution under a controversial exemption in Michigan criminal law. But the state House of Representatives voted unanimously Tuesday to do away with this provision, ending what many have described as a “marital rape loophole.”
The lower chamber voted unanimously to take away the exemption for a spouse whose victim is raped while “mentally incapacitated,” which includes being drugged.
“It’s important to note that while sexual assault in general is an underreported crime, this is even more pronounced in cases of marital rape,” said Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia, who sponsored the bill.
“Sexual assaults that take place within the confines of a marriage or relationship are difficult enough to prove and disclose without our state adding another cruel obstacle.”
