Spousal Rape

Spousal rape is a violent act in which one spouse engages in unwanted sexual intercourse with the other spouse via force or threat of force, or when the victim is unable to consent. Spousal rape can be classified as a type of rape and as a type of intimate partner violence. Although both women and men can be victims and perpetrators of spousal rape, most of the scholarly and legal attention has recognized the gendered nature of this violence as the majority of spousal rape cases involve men who rape their wives. This entry offers an overview of spousal rape laws; the prevalence, risk, and types of spousal rape; and the effects of spousal rape.

Spousal Rape Laws

Spousal rape was not considered a crime in the ...

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