The issue of "Marital Rape" is explained in this study paper. Marital rape is thoroughly examined in the current study, which covers the legal background of the crime as well as various aspects of its commission and victimization. With particular attention to theories and forms of marital rape, the gravity of the problem, risk factors, strategies for resistance, and the psychological and physical effects of marital rape, this review addresses all of these topics.

Prior to recently, when it became outlawed in all 50 states, marital rape was not regarded as a crime. Along with its history, legal framework, and conclusion, this research paper also discusses marital rape.

Introduction
Wedlock, marriage, or the Hindi phrases "Shaadi/Vivah," are all terms that refer to the joining of two people in a sacred and permanent union that is meant to last a lifetime. Partners' connections get stronger with time, creating a deep love that frequently develops and thrives. Their relationship has strengthened as a result of their intimacy, mutual understanding, and shared experiences during this journey.

Physical expression and emotional proximity are two aspects of intimacy that are essential to sustaining the marriage between married couples. It's a way for them to express their love for one another, fortify their bond, and comprehend one another more. Nonetheless, there is an underlying understanding of mutual respect, trust, and regard for each other's well-being inside this intimacy that transcends physicality.

Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage's reliance on physical intimacy can take precedence over the values of consent, respect, and a partner's emotional health. In a healthy relationship, the desire for physical intimacy is normal, but it should never take precedence over the essential values of respecting each other's limits and feelings as well as mutual understanding.

Marital rape happens when one partner overlooks the other's inability to give consent or their discomfort, whether it be physical or emotional, during intimate moments. This horrific conduct betrays the sacredness, trust, and respect that ought to be the foundation of a married partnership. This is a grave transgression that disregards the autonomy of the partner and may have serious emotional, psychological, and bodily consequences.

The core of marriage is a promise to support, look out for, and stick by each other through the highs and lows of life. It goes well beyond times of physical closeness. Establishing a strong and long-lasting tie in a married relationship requires both partners to acknowledge and value one other's worries, feelings, and well-being. Making love to one's spouse or partner without getting their permission is known as marital or spouse rape. Due to violence and rape, marriage-which is supposed to be a sacred ceremony-becomes a terrible cause.

Being in charge of someone else is what rape is all about. Claim made by a trauma therapist in California. It's not about having sex, not even in partnerships or marriages, despite its seeming sexual quality. Rather, the root of the issue lies in one partner's sexual entitlement beliefs.

Marital Rape

Any unwelcome sexual penetration-vaginal, anal, or oral-achieved by force, coercion, or when permission is not attainable within the bounds of marriage is considered marital rape, a pernicious and horrifyingly common type of violence against women. State laws in the US differ in their definitions of marital rape, but the basic idea is always the same: it's a breach that happens inside a married couple's relationship.

In order to comprehend the dynamics of sexual violence common in these relationships, a great deal of research has mostly focused on married, separated, divorced, or cohabiting couples. A increasing amount of literature highlights sexual violence in same-sex relationships, despite the paucity of studies on the topic. This suggests that further research and recognition of sexual violence in these relationships are urgently needed.

In a pioneering research project carried out in San Francisco in 1990, 930 women from a representative sample of the community were interviewed, and the results startlingly showed how common marital rape is. The results brought to light a sobering fact: rape occurs in marriages for between 10 and 14% of married women.

This type of rape involving an intimate partner is incredibly widespread and has a major impact on the overall prevalence of sexual assault. Studies show that about 30% of women who become victims of sexual assault in their adult lives do so at the hands of a close partner.

Marital rape is an issue that is still generally disregarded, despite its frightening prevalence. Historically, this serious infraction has received little attention from social scientists, professionals, the criminal justice system, and society at large. Remarkably, it wasn't until the 1970s that marital rape was acknowledged as a real problem in our culture.

Unfortunately, many people still believe that marital rape is not as terrible as other types of rape, and a depressingly high percentage of people question that it really occurs. In 1996, polls conducted among college students revealed an astonishing fact: only 50% of male students thought that a husband could rape his wife. It also showed how rape committed by a spouse was not as bad as rape committed by a stranger, exposing the alarming false beliefs that continue to exist in our society about this horrible act that takes place inside a marriage.

The Background Of Marital Rape:

Due to the fact that it has historically been accepted throughout societies for men to compel sexual contact with their wives against their will, marital rape has been the focus of much research, mostly driven by legal queries. In the past, any sexual interaction between a man and a woman who is not his spouse without her express agreement was considered rape. It was widely held-and Sir Matthew Hale, the Chief Justice, concurred-that a woman effectively gave up control of her body when she married, giving it completely to her husband.

This widely accepted belief that a woman couldn't refuse consent to have sex with her husband was spread by this thought. This viewpoint was mostly accepted until the anti-rape movement started to draw attention to how the spousal exception denied all women the same protection against sexual assault in the 1970s.

Marital rape was reclassified as a felony on July 5, 1993, removing spouse exemptions from prosecution in many jurisdictions. This marked a significant advancement in the laws pertaining to sexual offences in all 50 states of the United jurisdictions. Nonetheless, as of May 2005, thirty jurisdictions continued to protect husbands from prosecution for rape, frequently in situations where the wife's vulnerability (i.e., incapacitation owing to physical or mental disorders) could make force unnecessary.

Grounded social patriarchy and antiquated ideas about spousal relationships are demonstrated by the continued existence of spousal exceptions in the definition of marital rape, where husbands are protected from prosecution. These exceptions unintentionally preserve the acceptance of marital rape by classifying these violent crimes as less heinous than other types of rape.

These exemptions essentially perpetuate antiquated notions that ladies are their husbands' property, bound by a marriage vow that legally yet suggests a right to procreation. This deeply ingrained idea in legal frameworks perpetuates a culture that undercuts married women's autonomy and rights by reflecting and reinforcing systemic inequality and the idea of ownership inside marriage.

Law for Marital Rape in India

Sec 375 of IPC

In India, the laws pertaining to marital rape are complicated and open to different interpretations. Forcible sex inside a marriage is illegal in India under Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) only in cases where the woman is under 18. Additionally, separate laws state that raping a wife who has been divorced or separated can result in a sentence of up to seven years in jail (law 57). Nonetheless, marital rape between consenting adults has not always been specifically illegal in India according to the law.

In spite of this legal position, many Indian high courts have rendered conflicting decisions regarding the criminality of marital rape. The Gujarat High Court provided a thorough justification for the necessity of making marital rape a crime in 2018. On the other hand, it rejected a woman's First Information Report (FIR) on rape allegations made against her spouse.

In 2021, a landmark decision was made by the Kerala High Court, which recognized the serious consequences of marital rape within a marriage and ruled that it qualified as a reason for divorce as a type of cruelty.

Another significant event occurred in March 2022 when the Karnataka High Court refused to discount charges of rape that a woman had filed against her husband. The court indicated a change in attitude towards acknowledging the seriousness of such acts by emphasizing that marital rape should be treated the same as non-marital rape.

The Delhi High Court's recent divided ruling on the criminalization of marital rape, however, indicates that the matter is still divisive. The divergent views from the courts underscore the absence of a conclusive legal position regarding this issue in India.

With high courts issuing inconsistent verdicts on the criminalization of marital rape, it is expected that the Supreme Court will be a key player in setting a clear and consistent precedent. The ultimate ruling by the Supreme Court is expected to have a significant effect, influencing the judicial system and resolving the complicated issues related to marital rape in India.

Situations Including Marital Rape

The primary source of information for research on marital rape is the testimonies of women who have disclosed to researchers about intimate partner sexual assault. This collection of studies is helpful, but it has limits. It frequently uses convenience samples from shelters, which may lead to an overrepresentation of abused women, and it may omit cases in which women do not report violence.

However, these studies have been instrumental in uncovering critical facets of marital rape: 1. Social Features of Survivors: There is no demographic discrimination in marital rape, including age, color, ethnicity, or financial class. Russell's thorough investigation uncovered a startling pattern: almost two-thirds of wives reported that they were assaulted by their husbands for the first time before the age of 25.

Although the influence of social status is less clear-cut, it has been proposed that although women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds were more likely to report marital rape, upper-middle class women were somewhat overrepresented among survivors. There are also differences in the prevalence of marital rape between Asian and American women. Interestingly, research indicates that although most studies are carried out in metropolitan areas, women in rural settings are at great risk.

Forms of Marital Rape:

Many times, marital rape occurs alongside other types of abuse. Despite popular belief, it often entails significant physical abuse, threats, and the use of weapons by male offenders against their partners. It's shocking to learn that studies show guys who rape and batter are especially hazardous, more likely to cause major harm and possibly even turn the situation into murder. Marital rape victims are also more likely to experience unwanted oral and anal sex than victims of rape by acquaintances.

Risk Factors of Marital Rape:

Most experts concur that spousal rape is a brutal way for husbands to take control of their wives. These males are frequently described as domineering, possessive people who believe they have a right to sexual dominance over their "property." Although the exact characteristics of a husband-rapist are yet unknown, research indicates that males who are part of social networks that condone violence against women are more likely to attack their partners. Crucially, the feeling of entitlement does not go away after a divorce or separation; women in these circumstances are still very much at risk of sexual assault.

The complexity and alarming nature of marital rape is highlighted by these revelations, which call on society to recognize, confront, and outlaw this type of personal assault against married women's autonomy and rights.

Impact of Marital Sexual Abuse

Contrary to the widely held perception that these types of attacks result in little stress, marital rape has serious and long-lasting impacts on women. The bodily repercussions are heartbreakingly serious; they include black eyes, fractured bones, and knife wounds inflicted by men on their abused spouses, in addition to injuries to the anal and vaginal regions, cuts, bruises, and ripped muscles.

It is shocking to see that half of a sample of survivors had sex while receiving punches, kicks, or burns. The gynecological fallout from marital rape is as upsetting; it includes anal tearing, pelvic pain, urinary tract infections, and vaginal stretching. It also poses serious hazards, such as infertility, miscarriages, stillbirths, and AIDS and other STDs.

The psychological toll is profound and long-lasting. Survivors of marital rape experience severe trauma due to multiple assaults by someone they once loved and trusted. The immediate consequences include anxiety, shock, profound fear, despair, suicidal thoughts, disrupted sleep patterns, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Survivors of intimate partner rape are more likely to receive a diagnosis of depression or anxiety than victims of physical abuse or assault by an outsider. The long-term effects are seen in many areas of their lives and include eating disorders, chronic sleep disorders, intense depression, sexual discomfort, difficulty building trustworthy relationships, negative self-perceptions, and distorted body views. It is astonishing how far-reaching the effects of marital rape reach beyond the immediate victim. A factor that many people frequently ignore is the significant impact such households have on the children living there.

Being exposed to or witnessing such violence can cause children to have long-term psychological scars that affect their emotional health and how they interact with others in the future. These scars can also cause behavioral problems, emotional distress, anxiety, and trouble building healthy relationships. Beyond only the immediate victim, marital rape has far-reaching consequences that tarnish the entire family, especially the defenseless children who watch such horrors.

Right of Sexual Privacy

The Indian Constitution does not specifically mention the right to privacy, but in a number of significant rulings, including Kharak Singh v. State of U.P., Govind v. State of Madhya Pradesh, and Neera Mathur v. LIC, the Supreme Court has recognized the existence of this right by virtue of Article 21. The right to sexual security and protection against unwelcome sexual behavior are included in Article 21's right to privacy, together with the freedom from harassment and disturbance.

It is believed that forcing a married woman to have sex against her will undermines her right to protection when the idea of a marital exemption to rape is introduced. The Supreme Court ruled in State of Maharashtra v. Madhukar Narayan that every woman has a right to sexual privacy and that no one has the power to invade that right at will. In the well-known Vishakha v. State of Rajasthan case, the right to privacy was further expanded to include places of employment.

Since it decriminalizes rape committed within a marriage, the marital exemption to rape is seen as violating a married woman's right to privacy. Because it transgresses the protections and fundamental rights outlined in Article 21, it is consequently said to be illegal. In the same way that people have the right to sexual privacy outside of marriage, the ban on marital rape runs counter to this idea and is viewed as a breach of a woman's autonomy and right to bodily integrity in a married relationship.

Cases of Marital Rape:

Farhan v/s state & Anr Details of the case:
There are several petitions contesting the Marital Rape Exception (MRE), an addition to Section 375 of the IPC, one of which being Farhan v. State. Mr. Farhan has filed a unique lawsuit in an attempt to overturn an F.I.R. that was filed against him, alleging that he violated POCSO Act Sections 3 and 4. Mr. Farhan had sex with respondent Ms. Alina when she was approximately 15 years old. The argument posits that Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) and the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937 preclude MRE from being subject to the requirements of the POCSO Act.

It has been discussed whether or not sex abuse in marriage should be classified as a crime under section 375 of the POCSO Act, and whether or not the Act applies if the victim is the perpetrator's wife. In view of this case and other relevant writ petitions that it has consolidated, the court evaluates the contested MRE provision. The lawyers who are pushing for the removal of the clause argue that the disputed exclusion either anticipates or requires a wife to consent to forced sex by her husband, or it encourages a husband to impose himself on her.

The advocates who oppose the provisions argue that doing so would violate the separation of powers because they do not believe the judicial branch has the authority to question a statute that the legislature has authorised. Furthermore, they dispute the assertion that there is no legislative framework in existence that would make marital rape a criminal offence by pointing to the provisions of the DV Act, Section 198B of the Cr PC, and Sections 376B and 498A of the IPC. Among other things, he suggests these clauses to create a legal basis for the prosecution of a spouse who has an affair with his spouse.

Verdict:
After considering the arguments presented by both sides, the two judges on the court came to a divided conclusion; Justice Shakder was in favour of repealing the provision, while Justice Shankar objected. Insofar as they related to a husband or a separated spouse having sexual contact with his wife (who is not under the age of 18), Justice Shakder struck down Exception 2 to Sections 375 and 376B of the IPC as well as Section 198B of the Code.

However, they are unconstitutional without her consent because they contravene Articles 14, 15, 19(1) (a), and 21 of the Constitution. Furthermore, he clarified that the guilty spouses did not meet the requirements for being "related" as specified in Section 376 (2)(f) of the IPC, so the presumption established by Section 114A of the Evidence Act would not apply to them.

In contrast, Justice Shankar held in a dissenting opinion that the MRE challenges had to be dismissed. He claims that the contested Exception, which is founded on a comprehensible distinction with a logical connection to the topic of both the exception and Section 375 itself, does not infringe either Article 19(1)(a) or Article 21. Consequently, all of the conditions necessary to find a statute unconstitutional were met.

Conclusion
Marital rape is one of the most deadly forms of violence against an intimate partner, although it rarely receives attention from the public or academic community. Based on the research that has been done thus far, wives who experience sexual assault are likely to have several assaults as well as significant long-term physical and psychological consequences. Those who deal with survivors of marital rape must provide support and refute the common misperception that a spouse's rape is inconsequential, considering the grave repercussions.

It is critical to understand the prevalence of sexual assault in marginalised groups and determine the most effective forms of assistance and intervention, given there is a dearth of research in this area. One of the most pressing areas of concern is research on the effects of marital rape on children. Relatively little study is done on how often children see sexual abuse in their homes, are coerced into it, or even know about it.

However, both justices agreed that a certificate of permission to appeal to the Supreme Court should be granted because this case involves significant legal issues for which the Supreme Court is a known authority. The case of Farhan v. State & Anr was divided and entered into the Registry on August 26, 2022, in order to receive the required orders.