Sensitive Content Warning
Marital rape is a form of sexual violence where a spouse forces or coerces their partner to engage in sexual activities without their consent. In the United States, marital rape was not recognized as a crime until the 1993, and even then, it was only criminalized in some states. This lack of legal recognition has contributed to a culture of silence around the issue, making it difficult for survivors to seek justice and support. According to the National Family Health Survey 5 (2019-21), “Among married women aged 18-49 who have ever experienced sexual violence, 83 percent report their current husband and 13 percent report a former husband as perpetrator.” Marital rape can have severe and lasting impacts on survivors, including physical injury, emotional trauma, and increased risk of sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. It can also perpetuate harmful power dynamics within a relationship, contributing to a cycle of abuse and control. It is essential to raise awareness and address the issue of marital rape to support survivors and work towards preventing sexual violence in all forms.
Marital rape represents a form of discrimination against women, as it perpetuates harmful gender-based power dynamics within relationships. The belief that a spouse has the right to engage in sexual activities without their partner's consent is rooted in a patriarchal system that views women as objects to be controlled and dominated. This reinforces harmful stereotypes about gender roles and perpetuates a culture of violence against women. By recognizing marital rape as a form of sexual violence and working to prevent and address it, we can challenge these harmful beliefs and work towards a more equitable and just society.
Edith Wharton's quote from The House of Mirth, found on the left page, eloquently captures the experience and perception of marital rape and rape in general. The quote compares the residue of grief to raindrops on a beaten rose, conveying how a woman can be affected by such trauma. Like a rose that appears bruised and droops from being struck by hard rain, a woman may also feel damaged by the experience. However, just as a rose remains beautiful despite its bruises, a woman remains beautiful despite her grief and trauma, much like a delicate rose.
The drawing of the woman is part of a project I worked on last year about abortion rights, where it originally symbolized how abuse in a relationship can lead women to seek abortions. Given the topic, I found the image to be a perfect fit, as it captures how a woman can feel emotionally and physically bruised by experiences such as marital rape. Through the image, one can see the visible effects that such trauma can have on a woman.
At the bottom of the left page, there is a smaller poem in white that describes the act of rape and emphasizes how it is not an expression of love. The poem is taken from the book "Milk and Honey," and I believe it carries a potent and accurate message.
The artwork displayed on the right page portrays the inner workings of an abusive marriage and highlights the misconception that rape is acceptable within the confines of matrimony because it's supposedly "part of the deal". The wedding ring featured in the artwork can be interpreted in two ways: as a cage, trapping the woman in the abusive marriage, or as a looking glass, providing a glimpse into the reality of the marriage.
Benu, Parvathi. “Marital Rape: Most Married Women Are Sexually Abused by Their Husbands, Says NFHS Data.” The Hindu BusinessLine, May 16, 2022. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/data-stories/data-focus/marital-rape-most-married-women-are-sexually-abused-by-their-husbands-says-nfhs-data/article65409875.ece.
WPR, Editors. “Marital Rape States 2023.” Marital rape states 2023, 2023. https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/marital-rape-states.
Lambert, Carol A. “Marital Rape Is Criminalized but Not Upheld.” Psychology Today. Sussex Publishers, March 10, 2022. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mind-games/202203/marital-rape-is-criminalized-not-upheld.