304: Joe Incoronato

Joe Incoronato was a Dutchess County legislator when in a meeting he said women bring rape and harassment on themselves based on their behavior. The Dutchess Legislature voted 23-1 to censure him for his statements. He responded by introducing a proposal that people can only be censured if convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor.

He has apologized for saying it while continuing to give further context that his opinion has not changed. He repeats again and again that a woman who drinks or uses drugs is impaired and more open to rape or assault, not understanding that it is the rapist who rapes. Women drinking or doing drugs is not an invitation to rape.

• Poughkeepsie Journal: Incoronato’s censure a statement against sexual harassment – Pulver
• Daily Freeman: Dutchess County lawmaker to face censure for rape remarks