Love shouldn’t hurt

Love Shouldn't Hurt - Ever

Tuesday, 29 October 2024 06:37

Intersection of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
by Teresia Smith

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we want to talk about the intersection of sexual assault and domestic violence. The APA Task Force on Violence and the Family defined domestic violence as “ a pattern of abusive behaviors including a wide range of physical, sexual, and psychological maltreatment used by one person in an intimate relationship against another to gain power unfairly or maintain that person’s misuse of power, control, and authority. It can either result or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, psychological harm, mal-development, or even death.”
We tend to view sexual assault and domestic violence as totally separate things, while in reality, they are frequently interwoven. Sexual assault and domestic violence offenders aren’t always strangers. “Of sexual abuse cases reported to law enforcement, 93% of juvenile victims knew the perpetrator: 59% were acquaintances, 34% were family members, and only 7% were strangers to the victim”(Rainn.org). As you can see, statistically, abusers are more often acquaintances, friends, best friends, intimate partners/spouses, parents, or even siblings. So, what about victims who have been abused and assaulted by an intimate partner or spouse?

Abusers who are physically violent towards their partners tend to be sexually abusive as well. This sheds light on how sexual assault and domestic violence are closely related. Also, victims who are sexually abused and experience physical and emotional abuse, like domestic violence, are more likely to be killed compared to victims who only experience one form of abuse.

Let’s examine some statistics. Sexual assault that causes physical injury is more likely by an intimate partner than a stranger or acquaintance. About 14% to 25% of women are sexually assaulted by an intimate partner at least once in their lifetime. The National Family Violence Survey found that the injury rate for women was 6 times higher than for men. Some estimates suggest that as many as one-third of all women are victims of domestic violence during their lifetime. Four million women each year are assaulted by a domestic partner. For those aged from 18 to 59 around one in four women and one in eight men reported experiencing partner abuse in years 2008 to 2009.

It should be noted that marital rape is a significant issue that needs to be exposed. Marital rape is rape that is committed by a victim’s spouse. As discussed before, sexual assault may also include other forms of physical abuse, emotional abuse, and violence. Around 10% to 14% of women will be raped at least once in their lifetime during their marriage. While these numbers are high, only 36% of marital rape cases are reported.

There is a misconception that being married means sex upon demand by the spouse. That is not correct. Consent is necessary even within marriage.
To help make the world a safer place, education on these matters needs to be taught. Education on what is acceptable behavior and what is not is the best option for helping to change these statistics. We need to teach healthy relationships, red flags/green flags, boundaries and consent. Schools are ideal places to share this information. This may help reduce sexual assault and domestic violence in their relationships as adults. A lot of initial influences take place in schools so implementing consent, respect, and sexual and domestic violence education may create a change in the culture.

Families also need to talk with their children and teach healthy boundaries. Understanding boundaries and knowing what could be considered domestic violence or sexual assault are helpful to your safety. Being aware of your surroundings is also helpful. If you feel like something is not right, then trust your gut because it likely isn’t. Remove yourself from that situation.
Lastly, because rape culture is so prevalent in our society, knowing who or where you can get help is important to the safety of you and those around you. Crisis Services of North Alabama offers free and confidential services to victims of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. You may call the Jackson County office for an appointment at 256.574.5826. We also offer a 24/7 HELPline, where you can speak with a trained crisis counselor at 256.716.1000. You are not alone.