It may also include situations where the victim is incapable of giving consent due to a disability or intoxication. Many rapes are committed by someone the victim knows, such as a date or friend. Rape by assailants known to the victim occurs more frequently on college campuses than rape by strangers. Research on college women indicates 20 percent of the female population has been sexually coerced by acquaintances. While some students may not think of forced sexual relations as rape, the action nevertheless is considered to be.
Rape is a serious crime - a felony.
And whenever a man uses force to have sex, he is committing rape, even if he knows the woman, and even if he has had sex with her before. The complete California rape law is contained in Section 261 of the Penal Code. The spousal rape law is set forth in Section 262. If you are right, you have not offended or exploited your partner in any way. If your assumption was wrong, it is now her responsibility to open up the communication and reinstate the encounter.