Abusers often use
sexual assaults and/or harassment as a tool against
their partner. It can be difficult for victims and
survivors of sexual assault to discuss this form of
abuse. Mid-Valley Women's Crisis Service encourages
survivors and their supporters to become aware of the
patterns of sexual abuse. The following is a list of
sexually abusive behaviors:
Abuser jokes about women
and sex in the presence of the victim
Looks on women as sex
objects
Pretends to be extremely
jealous
Minimizes the victim's
feelings and needs regarding sex
Criticizes the victim in
sexual terms
Touches the victim
against the victim's wishes (molestation)
Withholds sex and
affection
Attaches sexual labels
to the victim: ”slut”, "whore", "frigid"
Always demands sex
Forces the victim to
undress as a form of humiliation (this may be in front of
the children in the home)
Abuser is promiscuous
with others
Forces the victim to
witness his sexual acts with others
Uses threats to back up
his demands for sex
Forces the victim to
have sex with him or others
Forces sex after beating
the victim
Abuser uses objects
and/or weapons in sexual acts
Sadism, mutilation
Murder
