LSU Service Learning | Changing the Law-LSU Students Rewrite the Books

LSU students receive national recognition for amending La.'s rape law

The group behind the project looks on as Sen. Fred Hoyt of Abbeville and Gov. Mike Foster sign the bill into law at a ceremony held at the state capitol.

At one time, a popular notion existed that married women were the property of their husbands. This idea was so popular in fact that until recently, 33 states still had laws on the books that made it legal for husbands to rape their wives. Archaic and long forgotten though they were, the laws still remained intact.

But on June 18, 2003, after months of lobbying by a group of 17 students from the LSU School of Social Work, Gov. Mike Foster signed off on Senate Bill 756, which amended R.S. 14:43(A) and the introductory paragraph of R.S. 14:43.1(A) , and removed the spousal exemptions from the Simple Rape and Sexual Battery Laws.

Previously, under 14:43(A) , the law stated that "simple rape is . . . deemed to be without the lawful consent of a victim who is not the spouse of the offender . . ." In essence, by virtue of other existing state laws, sexual abuse by one's spouse was grounds for a divorce, but not for prosecution.

Keller and Hoyt, two of the main catalysts behind the bill, pose with a signed copy.

Enter graduate students Erika Keller and Tina Raab. Both came across the law while working on a project for their "History of Social Welfare and Policies" class. The assignment called for students to pick a law in Louisiana and show how it affects people.

At the time, Keller was conducting her internship at a women's shelter and decided to look into the state's rape law. What she found was a surprising remnant from earlier administrations.

Keller and Raab presented their findings in a 20-page report and, with the help of their classmates, began lobbying members of the legislature for support in amending the bill. After approaching a couple of senators, the group enlisted the help of Sen. Fred Hoyt of Lafayette, who authored the bill.

In the meantime, Keller said the group of students tried to raise awareness by speaking to classes on campus and lobbying outside the Capitol every day for nearly three months.

Their efforts finally paid off when the bill passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate

The group gathers before the awards luncheon at the Influencing State Policy Contest in South Carolina. Pictured from left to right are: Jill Murray, professor of sociology, Matt Menard, Kelly Adkinsin, Valerie Loupe, Natalie Essiad, Erika Keller, Phyllis Babineaux, Alexandria Calix, Allyson Pardue, Larie Acosta, Tina Rabb, Randall Gaspar and Jamie Clark.

The group's instructor, Jill Murray, encouraged them to enter their work in the national "Influencing State Policy" contest. They did and consequently shared first place with Tulane.

This past August, 11 of the group's members traveled to Charleston, S.C., where they were recognized for their efforts at the contest. Not only were they recognized, but one house representative from South Carolina announced that he would work in the legislature there to have that state's rape laws amended.

"It was an unforgettable experience to be standing up there with professionals, knowing that some day, you're going to be a part of them," Keller said.

Erika Keller, Graduate Student, Social Work

"(Coming to LSU) is sort of like a tradition. All of my family members have come here."

"There's a real sense of community on campus, a sense of togetherness and pride, not only from the students, but from the faculty, on a daily basis."

Contact Josh Duplechain | LSU University Relations
Highlights Team
January 2004