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Lawmakers say steps needed to punish men engaging in stealthing

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DENVER (KDVR/CNN) - Stealthing is a disturbing practice during intimacy that increases the risk of pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Lawmakers and criminal justice experts across the country say more needs to be done to protect the public.

Stealthing is the practice of both gay and straight men removing condoms during sex without consent.

Colorado State Sen. Rhonda Fields was shocked to learn this is trend and said she will be looking for ways to specifically outlaw stealthing.

"If a woman says to you, 'wear a condom,' then a man has no right to change the rules," she said.

The Columbia Journal of Gender and Law has found online groups of men encouraging other men to take off condoms during sex.

Amy Pohl of Colorado Coalition against domestic violence said: "I think it's very common. It's much more common than people would think."

Pohl says while the trend might be picking up in popularity, it is something her organization has seen for years, called reproductive coercion.

Experts say while stealthing can be applied to current law, it's best to have laws specifically forbidding the practice.

"I think that you need a 'yes' at every stage of the encounter," Fields said. 

Fields promises to explore possible legislation during the next legislative session.

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