Sex crime convictions may result in serious prison time and may force you to live the rest of your life as a registered sex offender. This can affect your ability to find employment and housing. Although Mississippi law clearly defines most sex offenses, “stealthing” is one of the acts that remains a gray area.
Stealthing definition
Stealthing refers to the non-consensual removal of a condom. Stealthing may occur before or during sexual activity. The term may also apply to damaging a condom to reduce its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
Legal status of stealthing
In the state of Mississippi, stealthing does not qualify as a sex offense. In the U.S., only California law penalizes stealthing, classifying it as a civil offense. No state in the country can send you to prison for the act of stealthing.
Related sex crimes
Although Mississippi does not identify stealthing as a sex crime, someone who commits the act may violate one of the existing sex offense laws during the process. Laws you may violate during stealthing include:
- Sexual battery
- Sexual exploitation
- Sexual assault
These crimes typically occur when a person expresses a lack of consent when they realize a condom has been removed, and their partner forces them to engage in sexual activity.
Civil lawsuits
The act of stealthing may result in a lawsuit against you. If your partner can demonstrate that your actions caused them to become infected with an STD, they may be able to pursue a civil case against you.
Future legal standing
Advocates continue to push for laws that would make stealthing a criminal act nationally. In the meantime, being accused of the act places you in some degree of legal jeopardy.
