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.
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.