New York changes the rules for sexual encounters on college campuses

We’ve all heard the phrase “no means no,” but now there’s a new phrase used to protect those who feel silenced: “yes means yes.”

New York just passed a new law that contains a “yes means yes” definition of consent and states that on a college campuses there needs to be a clear, affirmative agreement between the parties before engaging in a sexual encounter, reports Syracuse.com.

Titled, “Enough is Enough,” in Layman’s terms the legislation means that every touch and slip of the hand must be okayed.

“A woman isn’t going to be made to feel guilty or complicit or fearful if she goes forward,” New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said at New York University. “We’re not going to allow the schools to cover it up anymore. Those days are over.”

The new law originally became a campus policy back in December after the State University of New York (SUNY) Board of Trustees formally approved it.

“Affirmative consent is clear, unambiguous, knowing, informed and voluntary agreement between all participants to engage in sexual activity. Consent is active, not passive,” the policy read.

In an attempt to get the policy passed as a law, Cuomo joined forces with Lady Gaga, who has come forward as a victim of sexual abuse, last month to pen an op-ed.

“Today, too many college students experience sexual assault, too few of the assailants are prosecuted, and too often the survivors lack the resources they need t recover,” the two wrote.

“Last year, the Governor’s office asked the state’s public university system to step up on the issue. They did,” they wrote. “But without changing New York’s laws, private colleges don’t have to live up to the same standards.”

And that’s why, they said, the state legislature must pass the proposed bill.

As of July 7 “Yes means Yes” is officially a New York state law.

Under the law, both parties are required to obtain consent every step of the way and silence is to never be taken as permission.

California was the first state to adopt the law last September, and so far the Golden State and the Empire State are the only two states with affirmative consent laws – both of which are contained to college and university campuses.