This article discusses sexual assault, rape, sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy, and psychological trauma.

WARNING

In 2021, California became the first U.S. state to pass legislation against "stealthing," which refers to removing or destroying a condom without a partner's consent during sex.

California is currently the only state with an anti-stealthing law, despite the act causing sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy, and psychological trauma.

As of May 2023, Vermont, Texas, and Utah are reportedly considering passing anti-stealthing legislation inspired by the California law, and several others may as well.

Wisconsin, New York, New Jersey, and Idaho have yet to pass a bill, partly due to disagreements over whether stealthing is considered rape or if it's a civil or criminal offense.

U.S. Representatives Norma Torres (CA-35), Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), and Ro Khanna (CA-17) introduced The Stealthing Act of 2022 last June, a federal version of the California law.

The bill was referred to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties in November 2022, where it remains today.

Meanwhile, advocates continue to speak out and point to alarming statistics, such as a study showing that 32% of women and 19% of men polled had been the victim of stealthing.