Marital rape according to French law: Desire, need and consent

Sexual assault and other types of violence in intimate partner relationships

“…Information on acts of physical violence that are more likely to co‐occur with sexual violence has importance whenever a forensic medical examination is conducted or if the case is reported to the police (20). From a legal point of view, rape can only be committed if the rapist knows he is forcing himself on the victim (2). Bruises, loss of hair and bite marks may support the assertion that the sexual acts were committed against the victim's will.…”

“…Knowledge about sexual violence in intimate partner relationships may increase the ability to disclose such violence, as well being important for taking such cases to court and getting the perpetrator convicted (2).…”

“…The first judgment on a conviction for rape in marriage in Norway was handed down in 1974 by the Norwegian Supreme Court after a long discus-sion, described in the pronouncement of judgment (Rt-1974-1121, Pronouncement of judgment in 1974 in the Norwegian Supreme Court). Some years later, sexual practices forced upon another person in marriage became illegal in other European countries as well (2), but there are still countries where rape in marriage is neither an issue nor a crime. As proposed by the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police, the provisions of the Norwegian General Civil Penal Code concerning rape were updated and amended in 2000 (3).…”