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sl8

(16,276 posts)
Tue Apr 23, 2024, 06:30 AM Apr 2024

Scott signs law to eliminate 'victim blaming' loophole

https://www.wcax.com/2024/04/22/scott-signs-law-eliminate-victim-blaming-loophole/

Scott signs law to eliminate ‘victim blaming’ loophole

By WCAX News Team
Published: Apr. 22, 2024 at 3:05 PM EDT|Updated: 16 hours ago

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) - A bill that protects survivors of sexual assault from being held liable for their assaults is now law in Vermont. Monday, Gov. Phil Scott signed S.278.

It closes a loophole that allowed a jury to reduce a plaintiff’s payout in civil actions if they found the victim bears some responsibility for their sexual assault. The law exempts survivors from contributory negligence.

It comes in response to a high-profile sexual assault case more than a decade ago involving the Milton football team where a victim was found partially negligent.

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