The Daily Skimm

The Story

The Minnesota Supreme Court has overturned a rape conviction.

Why?

Because the survivor willingly got drunk before it happened. In 2017, Francios Momolu Khalil approached a woman outside a bar in Minneapolis and invited her to a party. She claims she "blacked out" and woke up to find Khalil raping her. Khalil was convicted of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. But his lawyers appealed and the case made its way up to the state Supreme Court. Over the weekend, the justices said he can't be found guilty of rape because the woman voluntarily got drunk beforehand – and therefore wasn't "mentally incapacitated."

I still don't understand.

According to Minnesota's legal definition, a person is considered to be "mentally incapacitated" and can't consent to sex if they're given a substance unknowingly (ex: getting their drink laced or spiked). In this case, the survivor had been drinking before the attack. So the state Supremes unanimously said 'we have to follow the law.' And it's not the only state with laws that don't protect survivors of sexual assault. One review found that 40 other states don't consider being willingly drunk as a barrier to consent.

I feel sick.

Us, too. The ruling sparked outrage, with many saying it denies the survivor justice. Others worried about its consequences for other survivors with similar cases. Advocates and rape survivors say the state's loophole has to go. And Minnesota's House is considering a bill that would change up the rules around criminal sexual conduct (think: charging some rapists with more than a gross misdemeanor).

theSkimm

One in six American women has been raped or faced an attempted rape. But less than 0.5% of perpetrators will go to jail. Time and time again, we're shown that the law continues to victim blame and fails to protect women.

If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual violence, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. More here.

And Also...This

What's on global leaders' minds...

Myanmar. On Saturday, security forces reportedly killed at least 114 people in protests across the country – including six children, ages 10-16. It's the deadliest day since Myanmar's junta arrested civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and declared a state of emergency – over alleged election fraud. Now, a human rights org says there've been at least 459 civilians killed by the junta since the coup began Feb 1. A UN official's calling Saturday's attacks "mass murder." The defense chiefs from 12 countries – including the US – called on Myanmar to "cease violence." But the junta has blamed protesters for the deadly crackdown.

"Ringing hollow": A UN official said global "words of condemnation" aren't doing enough to stop the military. But given that Myanmar is allied with Russia and China, those two countries could veto and block any possible UN efforts.

What's got people's attention…

The trial over George Floyd's death. Today, opening arguments in Derek Chauvin's trial are scheduled to begin in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Last Memorial Day, Chauvin – a white police officer – pinned 46-year-old Floyd to the ground for about nine minutes. All the while, the Black man cried out "I can't breathe" and called for his mother. Floyd's death reignited the Black Lives Matter movement and calls for an end to police brutality and systemic racism. Now, Chauvin faces second-degree murder and manslaughter charges and a reinstated third-degree murder charge. He could face up to 40 years in prison for one of the charges. For the first time in Minnesota history, the criminal trial will be broadcast live because of the court room's COVID-19 restrictions.

The arguments: Over the next four weeks, the defense team will aim to prove opioids and meth found in Floyd's system and underlying health conditions killed him, not Chauvin. Prosecutors are expected to argue it was a homicide (as noted in the official autopsy) caused by Chauvin's excessive, brutal force.

The jury: Six men and nine women have been chosen to serve in a jury that's mostly white. But only 12 of them will get to decide Chauvin's fate.

Where change is lighting up…

New York. On Saturday, the state's lawmakers agreed on a deal to legalize recreational marijuana sales for those over 21 – becoming buds with 14 other states with similar laws. The state could make it official with a bill signing in the coming days. The move is estimated to bring the state about $350 million in yearly tax revenue.

Who's sending his younger self some love...

Lil Nas X.

Who's in the arms of a unicorn…

Sisu.

Flipping the Script

Costume designers. Producers. Prop masters. VFX supervisors. Writers. Directors. Set designers. Makeup artists. It truly takes a village to make a movie or TV show. And, for a long time, those villages have been male-dominated.

So, in honor of Women's History Month, we partnered with our friends at Hulu to shine the spotlight on women working behind the scenes on some of the shows and movies you love. They shared their career highs, some challenging lows, and what they're hoping is up next (hint: more diversity and true gender parity). Watch here. And head to Hulu to find more content made by women.

Me to me: I could really use a budget. Join us this Thursday, April 1, at 8:00pm ET for our next course: Budgeting for the Big Stuff with The Financial Gym's Shannon McLay, presented by Fidelity. It'll help you save for things like buying a home, growing your family, and going on a big vacation (one day). And it's all thanks to SkimmU – our newest virtual event series designed to teach you the crucial life lessons your alma mater never did. Sign up here.

PS: Attend any SkimmU course for an exclusive invite to commencement. Join our co-founders and co-CEOs plus jewelry mogul Kendra Scott on a live recording of our podcast "Skimm'd from the Couch."

Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life…

1. A quick online evaluation that can help you get on that healthy grind. This wellness program is all about teaching you the psychology behind your decisions. So you can make smarter ones. Oh, and Skimm'rs get a free 14-day trial. Get started.*

2. A subscription that brings the (sparkling) winery to you. Join today to get 25% off your first box and turn your living room into a tasting room. Complete with high-end champagnes from around the world, like Veuve and Moet. Sip back and relax.*

3. What to pack if you're flying during the pandemic. This list has a collapsible water bottle, a see-through necessities pouch, and a moldable phone holder. So you can touch fewer things. Prepare for (a safe) departure.

4. 16 time-saving products that'll make everyday life easier. We've got a self-watering planter, a veggie chopper, and a laundry tool so you never lose a sock again. Ahhh, more time to enjoy that extra hour of daylight.

PS: Like what you see here? Make sure you're signed up to get more picks like these in your inbox every Monday. We've got exclusive shopping recs, streaming ideas, life hacks, and more.

*PS: This is a sponsored post.

Skimm’rs

We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.

Doses of achievement...Cassie R (CA). She's the Head of Communications at Families Together of Orange County Community Health Center. Throughout the pandemic, the nonprofit has been offering testing and has administered nearly 20,000 vaccines.

Giving a hand...Jessica R (TX). She's part of The Porch Drop Club, a mutual aid nonprofit functioning on small donations from community helpers. Its mission is to serve individuals and families with daily boosts, weekly leg ups, or monthly essential lifelines.

(Some) Birthday...Michael Chesner (NY), Tom Glasgow (NY), Suzanne Gallanter (NJ), Hannah Rabinowitz (NY), Laurie Laykish (SC), Allison Blakley Stoker (TX), Kate Thomas (DC), Jessica Parlon (MA), Chris Malik (OR), Anne Greif (WI), Nadeen Green (OH), Sara Spittler (IL), Alex Pinon (NC), Sarah Carbone (CT), Kelly Crampton (IL)

PS…we've also got a video wall to shout out a woman in your life who's making an impact on you. Check it out.

Want to build up your net worth? Our guide explains how to get started. Think: paying down debt, cutting your costs, and saving more.

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Skimm’d by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Mariza Smajlaj, and Clem Robineau