Assembly Member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas and supporters are advocating for the Speak Your Truth Act, aimed at protecting sexual assault survivors from retaliatory defamation lawsuits. These lawsuits can deter victims from coming forward. The proposed act would classify communications about sexual assault as privileged in civil cases, preventing their use in defamation suits and requiring losing plaintiffs to cover the survivors' legal costs. This legislation is inspired by similar laws adopted in other states and highlights the misuse of legal threats as a tactic to silence victims, particularly in high-profile cases.
Gonzalez-Rojas highlighted that survivors face a chilling effect from the threat of countersuits, which often discourages them from coming forward to share their experiences.
Attorney Victoria Burke stressed that the Speak Your Truth Act aims to provide justice for survivors by ensuring their voices are protected from retaliatory actions.
In emphasizing the need for the bill, advocates pointed out the alarming trend of using defamation lawsuits as silencing tactics against survivors of sexual assault.
Modelled after California's legislation, the Speak Your Truth Act would protect survivors' communications about their abuse from being used as weapons in courts.
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