As reported in the July 1, 2010 Providence Journal, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed a new law focused on date rape. "Date Rape" refers to a specific type of sexual assault. Sometimes drugs are used to alter the victim physically or mentally, making it easier for the sexual assault to occur. The new bill makes it a felony for a person to distribute a controlled substance to another person without their knowledge with the intent to commit a crime of violence against that person. Even if the perpetrator does not actual commit the crime of violence, he/she can be convicted under the new law. If convicted, a person can face up to ten (10) years in prison.
The bill was proposed over two years ago and based on a real situation that happened in Warwick, RI. A man put a drug into a woman's drink, but luckily, her friends witnessed his actions. The man was then detained until police arrived. However, the police had to let the man go because at the time no crime had been committed.