California has become the first U.S. state to adopt “yes means yes” rule that requires students on university campuses to have clear consent before engaging in sexual activity.
The law also prescribes requirements for colleges to follow in investigating sexual assault report.
Sunday, Governor Jerry Brown of California signed the bill, which advocates say it will change the understanding of students on what consent means.
UCLA student Savannah Badalich agrees, saying this is an "amazing" development.
“It is going to educate an entire new generation of students on what consent us and what consent is not ... that the absence of a 'no' is not a 'yes,'" she added.
But critics say the new law provides a broad, dangerous definition of sexual assault.
The bill stipulates silence or lack of resistance does not constitute consent. The rule further states that someone who is drunk, drugged, unconscious or asleep cannot grant consent.
States and universities across the United States are under pressure to better handle rape allegations.
President Obama launched a campaign last January to fight sexual assault, particularly on college and university campuses.
Some information was provided by AP, Reuters.
