Normalization of Marital Rape

The belief within certain religious groups or legal systems that sex within marriage is a right, not requiring consent, which leads to the minimization or denial of spousal sexual violence.

• A woman is told by elders that "a husband cannot rape his wife" and must "submit to him" regardless of her consent.

• In some regions, laws still exclude marital rape from definitions of sexual assault, making prosecution impossible.

• A pastor advises a wife experiencing sexual coercion to “improve communication” with her husband, rather than recognizing abuse.

Potential clinical implications (especially in high control settings)

• Victims may not disclose abuse due to shame, fear, or belief that it's not “real” rape.

• Clients may present with PTSD, dissociation, or depression without initially identifying the cause as marital rape.

• Clinicians may unintentionally reinforce harmful norms if not trauma-informed or trained in sexual violence within intimate relationships.