LIFTING THE CURTAIN OF SILENCE: RECOGNIZING AND TREATING SPOUSAL SEXUAL ABUSE

AUTHOR – HARSHITA JOSHI, STUDENT AT AMITY UNIVERSITY, LUCKNOW

Best Citation – HARSHITA JOSHI, LIFTING THE CURTAIN OF SILENCE: RECOGNIZING AND TREATING SPOUSAL SEXUAL ABUSE, Indian Journal of Legal Review (IJLR), 4 (1) of 2024, Pg. 8-17, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

Abstract

One horrific fact in the annals of intimate partner violence that is sometimes hidden from public view is the pernicious phenomenon of marital sexual abuse. The complicated issues underlying sexual violence in marriages remain hidden, even though the conversation about domestic abuse has acquired a lot of momentum recently. “Lifting the Curtain of Silence: Recognizing and Treating Spousal Sexual Abuse” aims to shed light on this hidden dimension of intimate partner abuse by revealing its many layers to promote increased comprehension, awareness, and successful interventions. Acts of sexual assault, compulsion, and manipulation by one spouse against the other are frequently covered up by a veil of silence inside the sacred context of marriage. Strongly held beliefs about marital privilege and conjugal rights have historically supported a climate of impunity, which has led to a denial or undervaluation of spousal sexual assault. The widespread myth of marital immunity continues to impede efforts to identify and address domestic abuse, even in the face of modest advancements in legal frameworks and societal attitudes toward it. By investigating the several elements that lead to the continuation and concealment of spousal sexual abuse, this study aims to directly address this silence. Examining every aspect of this issue is necessary because it involves complex interactions between gender inequality and power dynamics as well as psychological effects on survivors. In addition, the sociocultural environments in which domestic violence occurs need to be carefully examined, taking into account the wide range of variables that influence both personal experiences and social reactions. In addition, this research aims to investigate the various difficulties that arise when identifying and addressing marital sexual abuse in legal, medical, and community contexts. Legislative progress in criminalizing marital rape and improving victim support services has not eliminated significant obstacles, which range from victim-blaming and underreporting to institutional failures and societal shame. Investigating these barriers can help to clear the way for more successful intervention, prevention, and survivor support systems. Through navigating this landscape, it becomes clear that ending domestic violence against women requires an all-encompassing strategy that includes targeted interventions, legislative reform, and societal shifts. The veil of silence around this widespread form of intimate partner abuse can be partially lifted by elevating the voices of survivors, questioning social norms, and encouraging multi-sectoral collaboration. We want to build a future in which no one has to live in fear of being sexually abused by their spouse and can recover their agency, dignity, and rights while maintaining the integrity of marriage via thorough investigation and group efforts.