05/01/2026
Sexual violence most often is perpetrated by someone a survivor knows, and this includes intimate partner relationships. There are many different terms to refer to sexual violence that occurs within intimate partnerships, including: intimate partner sexual violence, domestic violence, intimate partner r**e, marital r**e, and spousal r**e. No matter what term is used or how the relationship is defined, it is never okay to engage in sexual activity without someone’s consent.
Who does intimate partner sexual violence affect?
Intimate partner sexual violence can occur in all types of intimate relationships regardless of gender identities or sexual orientation. Intimate partner sexual violence is not defined by gender or sexuality, but by abusive behavior. Learn more about how sexual violence can affect LGBTQ survivors and additional challenges they may face.
How does intimate partner sexual violence relate to other kinds of abuse?
Sexual violence in a relationship is rarely an isolated incident. It often occurs alongside other forms of abusive behavior, including physical and emotional abuse. For instance, the majority of women who are physically assaulted by an intimate partner have been sexually assaulted by that same partner¹.
Intimate partner sexual violence often starts with controlling behavior that can escalate to further emotional, physical, and sexual abuse.
Warning Signs of abuse include a partner who:
• Attempts to cut you off from friends and family
• Is extremely jealous or upset if you spend time away from them
• Insults you, puts you down, says that you can never do anything right
• Tries to prevent you from attending work or school
• Tries to prevent you from making decisions for yourself
• Destroys your property, attempts to harm your pets
• Threatens to harm your children or take them away from you
• Tells you that you are worthless and that no one else could ever love you
• Controls your finances
