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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced some backlash on Monday after attempting to explain rising rates of rape within his city, as he said it was due in part to an expanded definition of what constitutes rape.
During an interview with PIX11 News, reporter Dan Mannarino asked Mamdani about New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin’s concerns over rape and felony assault numbers within the city.
Mamdani maintained that the NYPD has reported among the lowest numbers of murders and shootings in its recorded history and suggested that the rape statistics need to be contextualized.
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“And what I think is important to know is a lot of the increase in rape also comes from an expanded definition of what counts as rape, as well as survivors coming forward for acts that took place years prior,” Mamdani said. “And we are thankful for them coming forward, the courage and the bravery it takes, but just to provide New Yorkers with that context.”
Mamdani’s comments on the “expanded definition of what counts as rape” surprised some of his critics. While Mamdani’s defenders online said he was merely providing context and wasn’t downplaying the seriousness of the crime, others called out what they viewed as his dismissal of the upswing.
Democratic New York City Council member Susan Zhuang commented on the clip on X.
“Expanding the legal definition of rape was an important step toward recognizing more survivors under the law. But it should never be used to deflect from the responsibility to reduce sexual violence. Survivors deserve leadership, action, accountability, and justice. They don’t deserve deflection,” he wrote.
“HOW did women vote for this guy?” women’s activist Riley Gaines wrote.
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Republican Texas Rep. Chip Roy remarked, “Rapes are up. Rents are up. Foreign diseases and parasites spreading. Historic Churches burning left and right. Elect the third world, get the third world.”
Outkick founder Clay Travis joked, “Sure, New York City rents hit an all time record high today, but at least the mayor is still very eloquent on social medi…whoops!”
“Going great,” RedState writer Bonchie commented.
Pro-Israel activist Lizzy Savetzky wrote, “Didn’t realize rape had a dynamic definition.”
“No wonder these guys saw no problem with Platner,” Substack writer Jim Treacher wrote.
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Fox News Digital reached out to the mayor’s office for comment.
Mamdani’s comment on the “expanded definition” of rape likely refers to New York’s Rape is Rape Act, which was signed into law by Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in January 2024 and went into effect in September of that year. The law classifies rape as nonconsensual or forcibly compelled sexual intercourse, oral sexual conduct or anal sexual conduct after previously defining rape as only nonconsenual or forcibly compelled vaginal penetration by a penis.
However, NYPD’s latest CompStat data from last week saw a 6.6% increase in rape compared to the same time last year, after the definition was already changed.
NYPD’s data also showed a decrease in murder, theft, robbery, burglary and grand larceny.
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