Rape Shield Law

 The rape shield law is found in Kentucky Rule Evidence 412, (KRE 412).  In cases involving alleged sexual misconduct, evidence is generally not allowed if it is offered to prove that the alleged victim engaged in the other sexual behavior or is used to prove an alleged victim sexual predisposition.  The rule is meant both to shield a victim of sex crime from painful and embarrassing questions and disclosures about their private sexual activities as well as to preserve fairness of the proceedings by excluding irrelevant attacks on the victim’s character.  The Rape Shield Law is also designed to prevent distracting the jury with a collateral matter.  See Montgomery v. Commonwealth, 320 S.W.3d 28 (2010).