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As of May 23, when the “Anti-Sexual Abuse Act of 1994” went into effect, victims of sexual assaults perpetrated in the District have new rights when they go to court. The definition of rape has been broadened, resistance by the victim is no longer relevant, and victims’ past sexual behavior is not admissible except under rare circumstances. Sexual activity between such authority figures as doctors or prison guards and the people in their care has been criminalized. The court is also authorized to impose harsher penalties on repeat offenders, child rapists, and mutilators. The law also acknowledges that men can be raped by women and states that marriage is no defense of forced sex.