Policy & Prevention
Additional Information
Marital rape exceptions can be traced back hundreds of years to British common law, which was eventually imported to American colonies. Back then, men believed a woman's unconditional sexual consent was just part of the marriage contract.
Most states had marital rape exceptions as part of their law until 1979. That's when a Massachusetts bartender broke into the home he used to share with his ex-wfie and raped her. The case led to the first marital rape conviction in the nation.
By 1993, marital rape was technically illegal in all 50 states. But enforcement varies widely from state to state. Marital rape and intimate partner rape exceptions still exist in Iowa.
Under current Iowa Law it is not considered a crime to rape your spouse or intimate partner if they are asleep, unconscious, drugged, coerced out of fear, or otherwise cannot give consent. These conditions only apply if the victim and perpetrator are strangers i.e. not married or considered engaging in an intimate partnership.
8 out of 10 rapes are committed by someone known to the victim.
19.5% are committed by a stranger.
39% are committed by an acquaintance.
33% are committed by a current or former spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend.
6% are committed by more than one person or the victim cannot remember.
2.5% are committed by a non-spouse relative.
2021 Legislation Filed
HOUSE FILE 742
"We support this legislation and the work Iowa Foundation for Resilient Communities is doing." - Matty Tae-Smith, Public Affairs Coordinator
Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Des Moines, IA
PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE IS INTIMATE PARTNER ABUSE
Additional Information
Intimate partner violence is a serious public health problem in the United States.
The Center for Disease Prevention defines intimate partner violence as physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and psychological aggression by a current or former intimate partner.
It's preventable! Prevention strategies should ultimately reduce the occurrence of IPV by promoting healthy, respectful, nonviolent relationships. Health relationships can be promoted by addressing risk factors at the individual level, relationship, community and societal levels.
Under current Iowa Law, it is not a crime to psychologically abuse your intimate partner or spouse.
We aim to expand the definition of domestic abuse in Iowa to include, psychological abuse and require extensive training to Law Enforcement to ensure that they understand the nuances of nonphysical violence, and require state-mandated batterer intervention programs with restorative justice practices.
LEARN WHAT STATES ARE WORKING ON LEGISLATION
2021 Legislation Filed
HOUSE FILE 740
"I'm a volunteer lobbyist for IOVA which trains and certifies victim support workers. My experience with victims tells me this addition of psychological abuse is very important. It can often be worse and with more lasting affects than a physical beating. Thank you for this important bill." - Karl Schilling IOVA
your voice matters!
BIPARTISAN SUPPORT HF740 and HF742 please email your Representative NOW!