RAPE ON PRETEXT OF MARRIAGE

AUTHOR– SYEDA BINTUL HUDA, STUDENT AT ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY

Best Citation – SYEDA BINTUL HUDA, RAPE ON PRETEXT OF MARRIAGE, ILE JOURNAL OF WOMEN STUDIES (ILE JWS), 1 (1) of 2023, Pg. 25-28, APIS – 3920 – 0059 | ISBN – 978-81-964391-3-2.

Abstract

Rape is an act of having sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent. It is a heinous crime that violates the basic human rights and dignity of individuals. While society is aware of the seriousness of this offence, rape under the guise of marriage has become a separate and upsetting kind of sexual violence in recent years. The topic of rape passed off as a marital act is examined in this abstract, along with its occurrence, causes, and effects.

Rape on pretext of marriage refers to a situation where a woman is forced or coerced to get into physical relationship under the expectations of marriage. The tactics and manipulations by a person may lead to a psychological pressure and ultimately that emotional trauma on the woman subsequently make her give consent for such an act. The cause for such rape can be multifaceted and can have different dimensions. As a natural fact, women are born emotional and are prone to get invested and vulnerable in relationships. Therefore, they have a sense of insecurity that their repudiation for such an act may devastate the trust of their partner on them. Moreover, gender inequality and perpetuation of patriarchal structure in the society devalues the women’s autonomy and consent.The victims may suffer several physical injuries, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and phycological trauma. Furthermore, victim blaming and social stigmatization intensify the distress. But, in such occurrences it is critical apprehend that in what circumstances the act has been committed. To make a person liable for the offence of rape on pretext of marriage, it is significant to grasp whether the promise of marriage was false from the beginning or it was a breach of promise which is made in good faith.