Before the advent of rape-shield laws (and sometimes after), courts often treated victims more like defendants.

Other provisions would restore protections for accusers under parts of the rape-shield law that were voided last August.

Judge Cohen called the information "rank hearsay" and accused the defense lawyers of trying to "completely eviscerate" the rape-shield law.

However, such a ruling seems at least as respectful of truth-seeking as an analogous feminist achievement of our time: rape-shield laws.

At the heart of the defense's complaint is the judge's interpretation of New York's rape-shield law.

American states have developed rape-shield laws, which prevent defendants from using the past sexual history of the victim.

Judge Ruckriegle will also rule this spring on the defense argument that Colorado's rape-shield law is unconstitutional.

The rape-shield laws that sometimes forbid admission of a woman's sexual history in criminal court do not apply in civil court.

In the previous instance, on Oct. 23, he accused the four defense lawyers of trying to "completely eviscerate" the rape-shield law.

Is the rape-shield law working?