Rape Shield Laws

Rape shield laws are legal protections designed to prevent the introduction of a victim's past sexual history in court during sexual assault trials. The aim is to ensure that cases focus on the incident in question, rather than the victim's personal life, which could lead to victim-blaming or prejudice. These laws help create a safer environment for victims to testify, as they are not subjected to invasive questions about their sexual history, promoting fairer trials and encouraging more individuals to report assaults without fear of humiliation or judgment.