Sexual Abuse Sexual violence in the home is domestic violence. Sexual intercourse without consent is sexual assault. Sexual assault may or may not involve physical force. Sexual abuse is any unwanted sexual contact. It should be borne in mind that it was only in 1985 in Victoria that rape in marriage was officially recognised as a crime .
Many men still believe that they have the right to unlimited sexual access to their wives.
Verbal Abuse consists of derogatory comments, insults and constant put-downs. Over time, this constant humiliation will destroy a woman's belief in herself and severely affect her self-esteem. She begins to take on the abusive descriptions as if they are real and therefore may start to believe that she's worthless, that the violence is her fault. After continual harassment one reached the point of complete lack of self-confidence. Verbal abuse also includes threats of physical violence and violent verbal outbursts.