The Daily Beans

The Greyhound Watched (feat. Sarah Weinman)

Nov 10, 2025
Guest
Sarah Weinman
Sarah Weinman, an acclaimed author and critic known for her crime and mystery columns, dives into her book Without Consent, exploring the landmark 1978 Rideout case that challenged the legal perception of marital rape. She discusses the societal barriers victims faced, the trial's role in igniting legal reforms, and how public awareness evolved. With insights on subsequent victims and ongoing stigma, her conversation sheds light on the complex journey toward recognizing intimate-partner assault. Weinman's passion for justice makes this discussion both captivating and crucial.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Marital Rape Became A Public Legal Issue

  • The 1978 Rideout trial reframed marital rape from a private marital issue to a public criminal matter.
  • That trial catalyzed activism and a multi-state legal shift recognizing spousal rape as a crime.
INSIGHT

Common Law Denied Wives Bodily Autonomy

  • In 1974 marital rape was not a crime anywhere in the U.S. due to common law treating wives as property.
  • The Rideout case challenged that doctrine and exposed how legal norms denied married women's bodily autonomy.
INSIGHT

1970s Legal Reforms Enabled Change

  • Wider 1970s reforms reshaped rape law, including rape-shield protections and awareness of intimate-partner violence.
  • Those reforms created legal tools activists used to criminalize spousal rape across states.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app