Domestic violence involves an intentional pattern of:
- physical
- emotional
- economic abuse
These are used to coerce their partners to act against their own will or best interests. Sexual assault is often a common tactic used by an abuser.
Physical Violence
According to the Domestic Violence Hotline’s website, one in 10 women in the U.S. have been raped by an intimate partner in their lifetime. 81% of women who have experienced rape, stalking, or other types of physical violence are reported to suffer significant impacts on their health; both short-term and long-term. Victims have higher rates of depression and anxiety compared to women who were either raped by a non-intimate partner or physically but not sexually abused by an intimate partner.
Survivors of sexual assault must face a lot of adversity on their own. But when a victim is sexually assaulted by their intimate partner, that adversity might seem insurmountable. Cases of sexual assault where the victim was abused by their partner are often less investigated or prosecuted. Why? Because it’s their partner who is assaulting them and not a complete stranger. Sometimes, it’s hard for law enforcement to believe that a domestic partner can do this to his or her spouse.
What is Intimate Partner Sexual Violence?
To get a little more specific, you are going to need to learn about Intimate Partner Sexual Violence (IPSV)? This form of abuse includes all forms of sexual assault that take place in a current or past intimate relationship, regardless of marital status.
IPSV usually involves using force, threats, or coercion to obtain sex and/or sexual favors. This type of abuse also involves shaming another’s sexual preference, along with ignoring or invading their sexual privacy.
Another crossroads where domestic violence and sexual assault meet is marital rape. Many people around the country don’t believe it’s a thing, but there are plenty of facts to prove this belief is false.
Similar to the statistic we mentioned earlier, 10% to 14% of married women report being raped by their spouse at some point during their marriage.
However, 36% of these victims do not report their rape to law enforcement. The percentage of women who report rape is actually lower than that. In fact, marital rape is considered to be the least reported form of sexual assault.
Contact the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone Today
Any form of domestic violence – sexual assault, IPSV, or marital – can’t be tolerated. In New Jersey, there is an advocate you can turn to for justice.
Attorney Anthony Carbone is a tireless fighter who has experience representing victims of domestic violence throughout New Jersey. Contact the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone to go over the circumstances of your case and to learn how we can help you. Call us at 201-733-2230.