Seksuell tvang i ekteskap eller samboerforhold henger sammen med annen type partnervold
Sammanfattning
Background: Intimate partner violence in the form of sexual coercion is largely a hidden issue. In this study we have investigated whether the sexual coercion of women occurs in isolation or in conjunction with other forms of violence within marriage or cohabiting relationships in Norway.
Objective: To disseminate knowledge on a taboo subject that impacts on women’s health. Knowledge about sexual coercion is crucial when planning interventions in the nursing profession.
Method: We sent a questionnaire about sexual coercion, psychological and physical violence in relationships to a random sample of women in Norway. The incidence of sexual coercion in the various categories of violence is shown as absolute numbers and percentages, and associations between the variables were tested using the chi-square method.
Results: Of the 1500 questionnaires sent out, 527 responses were received. A total of 480 had lived with the partner and were included in the study, and 5.8 per cent of these reported sexual coercion by the partner. Sexual coercion is associated with both physical and psychological violence as well as actions by the partner that make it difficult for the woman to stay in paid employment. There is a clear correlation between increasing psychological violence and sexual coercion. The more often a woman is subjected to various acts of dominance and isolation, or emotional and verbal abuse, the more sexual coercion she will experience.
Conclusion: The sexual coercion of women by a spouse or cohabitant is associated with acts of psychological and physical violence. Sexual coercion also occurs in combination with actions that make it difficult for women to stay in paid employment.