Legislature pushes to define 'rape is rape' in law

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York's Legislature is moving to classify more types of violent sexual attacks as rapes in a bill referred to as "rape is rape" legislation.

The push is fueled by the case of a New York City school teacher who was brutally attacked at gunpoint by a police officer in 2011. She was waiting to start the first day of her dream job teaching elementary school. She was sexually assaulted in several ways, but not vaginally. That's currently required to bring a rape charge.

Instead, the man was charged with forcing anal and oral sex, which carry lesser sentences.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says Tuesday he's consulting with prosecutors while drafting a bill.

Senate Republicans have a bill that expands the definition of sexual contact as rape.