In addition to physical harm and emotional abuse, many people who suffer from domestic violence also experience the traumatic effects of sexual violence within their relationships. Survivors of sexual violence often experience more than bodily harm and emotional distress. They may feel shame, embarrassment, and fear. Removing themselves from the situation and seeking something better for themselves can feel impossible.
At Navarrete & Schwartz, P.C., our experienced Midland, TX, family law attorneys understand the complexities involved in family and sexual violence cases. We commit ourselves to protecting your rights and advocating for you, empowering you to move forward with your life in a new and positive direction. Contact our office today to confidentially discuss your situation. You deserve aggressive legal representation and compassionate support.
What Is Domestic Violence?
While domestic violence is the commonly used phrase to describe violent family dynamics, Texas law refers to domestic violence situations as “family violence.” Family violence is defined as acts by one household or family member against another that are intended to cause physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault or threats that reasonably place the targeted person in fear of such harm.
Family violence refers to any harmful situation perpetrated by family members or those in dating relationships and roommate situations. Domestic violence is typically any pattern of abuse or violence used in a relationship by one partner to control the other.
Types of Domestic Violence and Family Abuse
Domestic violence and family violence are all-encompassing terms that can refer to various traumatic situations. The most common forms of domestic violence and abuse include:
- Physical abuse
- Emotional or psychological abuse
- Financial or economic abuse
- Sexual abuse
Unfortunately, survivors of domestic violence often experience more than one form of abuse.
Sexual Violence and Abuse in Relationships
Statistics from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services indicate that one in two women and one in four men experience sexual violence at some point in their lifetime. Most survivors are sexually abused by someone they know, like a loved one, family member, spouse, or romantic partner. However, individuals in abusive relationships do not always understand what sexual violence and abuse means. Sexual abuse does not always involve physical violence. It includes attempts to force or coerce any form of unwanted sexual contact.
Examples of sexual abuse can include:
- Marital rape
- Date rape
- Coercing sex after physical violence
- Coercing sex after emotional abuse or threats
- Sexually demeaning a family member or partner
- Unwanted touching or fondling
- Pressuring a partner into not using birth control or protection
Sexual abuse in domestic relationships can include patterns of behavior that manipulate or influence an intimate partner into engaging in unwanted activities. Sexual abuse isn’t just a matter of sex – it’s about the power and control one partner gains over the other, either through physical violence or emotional manipulation.
Signs of Sexual Abuse in a Domestic Relationship
Sexual abuse is often about the systematic breakdown of a person’s boundaries over time. Abusers use various tactics to gain the trust of their targets before turning the tables on them, manipulating them into thinking their relationship is “normal.” Some domestic abusers are so experienced they know what it takes to shatter a person’s confidence and make them believe they somehow deserve or were “asking for” the abuse.
Signs of sexual abuse may not be as apparent as people think, and abusers are often skilled at victim blaming. Some of the most common signs of sexual abuse in domestic relationships can include:
- Sexual abuse paired with other forms of abuse such as physical, emotional, or financial abuse
- Using shame, guilt, and manipulation tactics to get the partner to “agree” to sex
- Using sex to gain control and power over a partner
- Engaging in rape or non-consensual sex or sex acts
- Forcing or manipulating a partner into performing sexual acts they are not comfortable with or do not enjoy
- Demanding sex when the other partner is not interested
- Engaging in sex or sexual activities when the partner is intoxicated, drugged, asleep, or unconscious
- Coercing or threatening a partner to engage in the production of explicit photography or videos
- “Stealthing,” or the practice of removing a condom without permission from the sexual partner or otherwise tampering with birth control methods
If you, a loved one, or a friend experience any of these concerning signs of sexual abuse, get in touch with a Midland family law attorney to discuss your options.
How a Midland Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Attorney Can Help
At Navarrete & Schwartz, P.C., we dedicate ourselves to helping sexual abuse and domestic violence survivors protect their legal rights and rebuild their lives. Your health, wellness, and continued safety are our top priorities. We work to provide legal advice and take proactive steps to protect your safety by:
- Filing for protective orders
- Assisting you with separation issues such as divorce, custody arrangements, and support issues
- Providing you with legal advice and resources to plan for you and your family’s safety
- Advocating for your best interests
- Representing you in court
We understand how traumatizing domestic violence and sexual abuse can be for survivors. Our family law team wants to guide you through the legal system and minimize the stress and suffering of reliving some of your most painful memories. It takes courage to fight back. Let us help you by providing sound legal advice and unwavering moral support during this challenging time.
Contact Our Experienced Midland Domestic Violence Attorneys for Help Today
Don’t wait to take action to protect yourself from an abusive situation. Contact Navarrete & Schwartz, P.C., and let our family law team help you. We can arrange a confidential legal consultation to review your situation and discuss your legal options.