How to Report Marital Rape

One of the most underreported crimes is marital rape, also known as spousal rape or IPSA, Intimate Partner Sexual Assault. Historically, many have perceived the husband's "rights" within marriage to include sex on demand. However, forced sex constitutes rape, whether the two people are strangers, acquaintances, or marital partners. Here's how to report a marital rape.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Understand that you have the right not to be raped within marriage. The long-term emotional as well as physical effects can be devastating and detrimental to your health.
2. Call a domestic abuse hotline, your local rape crisis center or the national center, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, known as RAINN (see Resources below) at your first opportunity. RAINN can also direct you to women's shelters.,
3. Tell a counselor what's happening within your relationship. The counselor will help you report the marital rape, explaining who to contact in local law enforcement, as well as help you with your next steps in staying safe.
4. Know that you are not alone. According to the National Crime Victimization Survey of 2005, nearly 30 percent of all rape occurs between intimate partners.

Tips & Warnings

• Sometimes friends will convince friends that marital rape should be accepted. This is not the case. Report it.
• Not reporting marital rape can result in serious after-effects, from post-traumatic stress disorder to depression. In addition, marital rape can be symptomatic of behavior that can escalate to life-threatening.