By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune News Editor
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
MARRIED Bahamian women are more likely to experience non-consensual sexual intercourse than their single counterparts, according to University of the Bahamas researchers.
A UB press statement yesterday said: “Married women who disclosed being victims of non-consensual sexual intercourse with their husbands were also more likely to have suffered physical harm at the hands of their partners compared to those who had not experienced such abuse.”
The study by Dr Niambi Hall Campbell-Dean, William Fielding and Virginia C Ballance involved data from 464 married and 1,264 single women in intimate relationships with men.
The research comes as the Davis administration considers amending the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act to establish marital rape as a crime –– a divisive, emotionally-charged topic in The Bahamas.
The study, which has not been publicly released, is expected to be published in the next edition of the International Journal of Bahamian Studies.
The research reportedly found higher psychological abuse among married women than unmarried women.
“In essence, the results pointed to concerning behaviours perpetrated by men against their female intimate partners, both in and outside of marriage,” UB said.
“This research,” according to Mr Fielding, “is pivotal in furthering our understanding of gender-based violence and provides critical insight to inform discussions on the occurrence of so-called ‘marital rape’ and its profound affects on women.”
“It is too easy to view rape or non-consensual sexual intercourse as being short-term events without appreciating the long-term detrimental consequences on the psychological health of survivors,” added Ms Ballance. “Obtaining an estimate as to the number of women who are abused through unwanted sexual intercourse, particularly married women, highlights the need to ensure that all women are equally protected by the law, irrespective of their marital status.”
The study is called “In The Bahamas ‘She must give it up’: Sexual Abuse of Women in Heterosexual Relationships by their Intimate Partners.”
Comments
Sickened 1 year, 3 months ago
Okay. This change of terms from Husband to Partner in the second paragraph needs some clarification. Who exactly are married women saying is abusing them? Is it their husband abusing them during sex or are they saying the person they are having sex with abusing them?
bahamianson 1 year, 3 months ago
I saw that also and was wondering about it.
ohdrap4 1 year, 3 months ago
They stated:
“In essence, the results pointed to concerning behaviours perpetrated by men against their female intimate partners, both in and outside of marriage,” UB said"
the men are abusing both their wives and sweethearts. BINGO,
FreeportFreddy 1 year, 3 months ago
Oh...and it's called rape! Non-consensual makes it sound less offensive. It's rape!
ohdrap4 1 year, 3 months ago
UB will never achieve full accreditation if it depends on these so called studies.
Thay are just surveys and biased to wards the myopic views of the so called scientists.
stillwaters 1 year, 3 months ago
I don't know a lot of married women who have been raped, but hear many first hand stories from married women who give in to unwanted sex during the marriage to 'keep the peace' and avoid perpetual sexual tension inside the marriage.
birdiestrachan 1 year, 3 months ago
It would appear according to this study women are marrying rapist Why . .? The man did not become a rapist they were always rapist when do the women mentioned find this out, does the study say what can be done to stop women from marrying rapist, ?
FreeportFreddy 1 year, 3 months ago
Complete HorseS^#t - expecting nothing less from you!
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