Latest items for LRCM-LAW-2
April 15, 2026, 10:13 a.m.
Countries: Bahrain
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"marital rape is not defined in Bahrain’s penal law"(para 28).
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"marital rape is not defined in Bahrain’s penal law"(para 28).
April 15, 2026, 9:11 a.m.
Countries: Bahrain
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"The law does not address spousal rape. Penalties for rape include life imprisonment and execution in cases where the victim is a minor younger than 16, if the rapist is the custodian or guardian of the victim, or when the rape leads to the victim’s death."
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"The law does not address spousal rape. Penalties for rape include life imprisonment and execution in cases where the victim is a minor younger than 16, if the rapist is the custodian or guardian of the victim, or when the rape leads to the victim’s death."
April 15, 2026, 8:53 a.m.
Countries: Bahrain
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"This term is not defined because marital rape is not criminalized in the Kingdom of Bahrain."(para 11).
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"This term is not defined because marital rape is not criminalized in the Kingdom of Bahrain."(para 11).
April 15, 2026, 8:46 a.m.
Countries: Bahrain
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"The Penal Code includes sanctions against acts of domestic violence but does not criminalize marital rape. Honor crimes continue to receive mitigated sentences under the Penal Code, which also exempts a rapist for punishment if he marries his victim."(para 9).
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"The Penal Code includes sanctions against acts of domestic violence but does not criminalize marital rape. Honor crimes continue to receive mitigated sentences under the Penal Code, which also exempts a rapist for punishment if he marries his victim."(para 9).
April 15, 2026, 8:19 a.m.
Countries: Bangladesh
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Nevertheless, Section 375 of the Penal Code defines rape and its exception. According to exception 2 of this section, sexual intercourse by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under 13 years of age, is not rape. Therefore, the Penal Code keeps coercive and non-consensual sexual intercourse by a husband with his wife above 13 years of age outside the ambit of rape. Again Section 376 deals with the punishment of rape which varies depending on whether the victim is married or not. In the case of marital rape, Section 376 states that the husband will be liable of raping his wife for punishment which may extend...more
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Nevertheless, Section 375 of the Penal Code defines rape and its exception. According to exception 2 of this section, sexual intercourse by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under 13 years of age, is not rape. Therefore, the Penal Code keeps coercive and non-consensual sexual intercourse by a husband with his wife above 13 years of age outside the ambit of rape. Again Section 376 deals with the punishment of rape which varies depending on whether the victim is married or not. In the case of marital rape, Section 376 states that the husband will be liable of raping his wife for punishment which may extend...more
April 8, 2026, 10:24 a.m.
Countries: Bangladesh
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Bangladesh’s Penal Code of 1860 allows husbands over the age of 13 to be protected from charges of rape . . . The Penal Code 1860 of Bangladesh provides immunity for marital rape as long as the wife is above 13 years old, which leaves married women unprotected from sexual assaults by their husbands. Marital rape exemptions exist throughout different sections of the Code, starting with Section 376 and continuing in Section 9(1) of the Nari o ShishuNirjatonDomon Ain 2000. "
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Bangladesh’s Penal Code of 1860 allows husbands over the age of 13 to be protected from charges of rape . . . The Penal Code 1860 of Bangladesh provides immunity for marital rape as long as the wife is above 13 years old, which leaves married women unprotected from sexual assaults by their husbands. Marital rape exemptions exist throughout different sections of the Code, starting with Section 376 and continuing in Section 9(1) of the Nari o ShishuNirjatonDomon Ain 2000. "
April 8, 2026, 9:38 a.m.
Countries: Bangladesh
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"10.4.1 Section 375 of the Penal Code defines ‘rape’ as sexual intercourse taking place without the will or consent of, or by obtaining consent with false promises, with any women under the age of 14. Marital rape is not criminalised providing the wife is aged over 13 years."(para 183)
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"10.4.1 Section 375 of the Penal Code defines ‘rape’ as sexual intercourse taking place without the will or consent of, or by obtaining consent with false promises, with any women under the age of 14. Marital rape is not criminalised providing the wife is aged over 13 years."(para 183)
April 8, 2026, 8:50 a.m.
Countries: Bangladesh
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"In 2010, Bangladesh passed the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act (DVA), which is an important step in defining domestic violence, which includes physical, psychological, sexual and economic violence. The law also provides important protection measures for victims and criminalizes violations of protection order, but this invisible and self-evident crime of marital rape was ignored in this case.""In Bangladesh, marital rape is always de facto but not de jure. Because the law recognizes the offense, it is a common but under-reported crime. In Bangladeshi law, the outdated definition of rape makes it unable to provide adequate legal assistance to assault victims. Proving marital rape is extremely tough. When the case...more
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"In 2010, Bangladesh passed the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act (DVA), which is an important step in defining domestic violence, which includes physical, psychological, sexual and economic violence. The law also provides important protection measures for victims and criminalizes violations of protection order, but this invisible and self-evident crime of marital rape was ignored in this case.""In Bangladesh, marital rape is always de facto but not de jure. Because the law recognizes the offense, it is a common but under-reported crime. In Bangladeshi law, the outdated definition of rape makes it unable to provide adequate legal assistance to assault victims. Proving marital rape is extremely tough. When the case...more
April 8, 2026, 7:44 a.m.
Countries: Bangladesh
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"While the Bangladesh Penal Code, 1860 under article 375 acknowledging that sexual intercourse against her will and without her consent constitute rape, the same article exempts marital rape if the wife is not under the age of 13 years old."(para 3)."The marital rape exemption is the legacy of the British colonial rulers when the current Penal Code was enacted 1860. While England itself criminalized marital rape in 1991, the law is still in place in Bangladesh the nineteenth century mindset of European legislatures that upon marriage, a wife became the property."(para 4).
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"While the Bangladesh Penal Code, 1860 under article 375 acknowledging that sexual intercourse against her will and without her consent constitute rape, the same article exempts marital rape if the wife is not under the age of 13 years old."(para 3)."The marital rape exemption is the legacy of the British colonial rulers when the current Penal Code was enacted 1860. While England itself criminalized marital rape in 1991, the law is still in place in Bangladesh the nineteenth century mindset of European legislatures that upon marriage, a wife became the property."(para 4).
April 1, 2026, 9:22 a.m.
Countries: Angola
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Rape, including spousal rape and intimate partner rape, was illegal and punishable by up to 12 years’ imprisonment if convicted, depending on aggravating situations. "
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Rape, including spousal rape and intimate partner rape, was illegal and punishable by up to 12 years’ imprisonment if convicted, depending on aggravating situations. "
April 1, 2026, 9:11 a.m.
Countries: Algeria
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Dima Dabbous, Equality Now’s Representative in the Middle East and North Africa, explains: “Access to justice is hindered by excessive evidence requirements based on narrow legal interpretations of rape, such as those requiring proof of physical force. Various forms of sexual violence are not adequately recognised legally, and critically, no Arab League country has explicitly criminalised marital rape."(para 3).
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Dima Dabbous, Equality Now’s Representative in the Middle East and North Africa, explains: “Access to justice is hindered by excessive evidence requirements based on narrow legal interpretations of rape, such as those requiring proof of physical force. Various forms of sexual violence are not adequately recognised legally, and critically, no Arab League country has explicitly criminalised marital rape."(para 3).
March 25, 2026, 11:18 a.m.
Countries: Albania
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"5.0 RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT IN MARRIAGE No information provided."
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"5.0 RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT IN MARRIAGE No information provided."
March 25, 2026, 10:12 a.m.
Countries: Argentina
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Are there laws or policies that: Explicitly criminalize marital rape? Yes"
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Are there laws or policies that: Explicitly criminalize marital rape? Yes"
March 25, 2026, 9:58 a.m.
Countries: Argentina
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"In 2011, marital rape was recognized as a prosecutable offence in Argentina (Adinkrah, 2011; US Dept of State, 2020). Now, as of 2021, the penal code of Argentina makes no mention of domestic violence, and marital rape is no longer addressed directly. Rape in general, is considered a crime and covered as such under the penal code, however (Penal Code, 2021)."
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"In 2011, marital rape was recognized as a prosecutable offence in Argentina (Adinkrah, 2011; US Dept of State, 2020). Now, as of 2021, the penal code of Argentina makes no mention of domestic violence, and marital rape is no longer addressed directly. Rape in general, is considered a crime and covered as such under the penal code, however (Penal Code, 2021)."
March 25, 2026, 9:57 a.m.
Countries: Bulgaria
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"This may have something to do with the fact that in Bulgaria while rape is illegal, date rape and marital rape are not, and further, Bulgarian law states that victims of violence must prove that the violence has occurred a minimum of three times before officials will open a criminal investigation (Kassova, 2021; Meurens, et al., 2020)" "Marital rape is still not a crime in the Bulgarian Criminal Code as of 2022 (Vassileva, 2021; Bulgarian Criminal Code, 2022)"
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"This may have something to do with the fact that in Bulgaria while rape is illegal, date rape and marital rape are not, and further, Bulgarian law states that victims of violence must prove that the violence has occurred a minimum of three times before officials will open a criminal investigation (Kassova, 2021; Meurens, et al., 2020)" "Marital rape is still not a crime in the Bulgarian Criminal Code as of 2022 (Vassileva, 2021; Bulgarian Criminal Code, 2022)"
March 25, 2026, 9:36 a.m.
Countries: Algeria
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"The penal code and the family law do not criminalize marital rape."(para 7)
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"The penal code and the family law do not criminalize marital rape."(para 7)
March 18, 2026, 11:16 a.m.
Countries: Angola
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Are there laws or policies that: Explicitly criminalize marital rape - No"(3)
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Are there laws or policies that: Explicitly criminalize marital rape - No"(3)
March 18, 2026, 11:10 a.m.
Countries: Angola
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Does the legal definition of rape include marital rape? Yes"(7)
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Does the legal definition of rape include marital rape? Yes"(7)
March 4, 2026, 10:25 a.m.
Countries: Algeria
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"The law criminalized rape but did not explicitly address spousal rape. Prison sentences for rape ranged from five to 10 years and, although rape was rarely reported due to cultural norms, authorities generally enforced the law."
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"The law criminalized rape but did not explicitly address spousal rape. Prison sentences for rape ranged from five to 10 years and, although rape was rarely reported due to cultural norms, authorities generally enforced the law."
March 4, 2026, 10:09 a.m.
Countries: Algeria
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"There is also a huge omission in the law’s failure to recognise marital rape as a crime"
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"There is also a huge omission in the law’s failure to recognise marital rape as a crime"
March 4, 2026, 9:56 a.m.
Countries: Algeria
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Jurisprudence and national legislation have differed in the criminalization of sexual violence committed by a husband against his wife. Jurisprudential opinions were divided between supporters and rejectionists, so the first opinion tended to say that a man marrying his wife without her consent is not considered rape because the marriage contract originally has the basis of the legalization of sexual relations between the spouses 19 , which was confirmed by the Lebanese legislator in accordance with Article 503 20 "Anyone who coerces other than his wife by violence and threats of sexual intercourse shall be punished with hard labor for at least 5 years," the same provision adopted by the...more
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Jurisprudence and national legislation have differed in the criminalization of sexual violence committed by a husband against his wife. Jurisprudential opinions were divided between supporters and rejectionists, so the first opinion tended to say that a man marrying his wife without her consent is not considered rape because the marriage contract originally has the basis of the legalization of sexual relations between the spouses 19 , which was confirmed by the Lebanese legislator in accordance with Article 503 20 "Anyone who coerces other than his wife by violence and threats of sexual intercourse shall be punished with hard labor for at least 5 years," the same provision adopted by the...more
Feb. 25, 2026, 10:24 a.m.
Countries: Algeria
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"The issue of marital rape continues to be a subject of great legal debate. The established principle in criminal law is that the husband is not punished if he forces his wife against her will, as marriage grants him the right to have sexual relations with her even without her consent. However, the topic of marital rape has recently gained international attention, with many countries, especially Scandinavian ones, believing that marriage does not justify sexual intercourse without the consent of both parties. This is because the matter is primarily linked to the freedom to engage in sexual relations. The importance of this issue is further highlighted when referring to Algerian...more
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"The issue of marital rape continues to be a subject of great legal debate. The established principle in criminal law is that the husband is not punished if he forces his wife against her will, as marriage grants him the right to have sexual relations with her even without her consent. However, the topic of marital rape has recently gained international attention, with many countries, especially Scandinavian ones, believing that marriage does not justify sexual intercourse without the consent of both parties. This is because the matter is primarily linked to the freedom to engage in sexual relations. The importance of this issue is further highlighted when referring to Algerian...more
Feb. 25, 2026, 9:36 a.m.
Countries: Albania
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Albania, however, has laws that address marital rape and provide harsher penalties against perpetrators of marital rape, which is now a separate criminal offence. The Criminal Code addresses sexual violence under article 107/a. Sexual violence is punishable of three to seven years of imprisonment (Criminal Code, art. 107/a). Rape is a criminal offense under article 102 of the Criminal Code and is punishable of three to ten years of imprisonment. The law is based on lack of consent and does not require proof of physical force, resistance or penetration (Criminal Code, art. 102). The legal definition of rape includes marital rape (Criminal Code, art. 102). Increased penalties for aggravated forms...more
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Albania, however, has laws that address marital rape and provide harsher penalties against perpetrators of marital rape, which is now a separate criminal offence. The Criminal Code addresses sexual violence under article 107/a. Sexual violence is punishable of three to seven years of imprisonment (Criminal Code, art. 107/a). Rape is a criminal offense under article 102 of the Criminal Code and is punishable of three to ten years of imprisonment. The law is based on lack of consent and does not require proof of physical force, resistance or penetration (Criminal Code, art. 102). The legal definition of rape includes marital rape (Criminal Code, art. 102). Increased penalties for aggravated forms...more
Oct. 10, 2025, 9:18 p.m.
Countries: Zimbabwe
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"In a statement, ZHRC [Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission] Chairperson Elasto Mugwadi told NewsDay in March, "The statutory provisions . . . dismiss the myth . . . widely held over the years[,] that a husband cannot rape his wife[,] by taking a progressive position which aligns with international standards and recommendations that seek to protect the rights of women" (para. 4)
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"In a statement, ZHRC [Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission] Chairperson Elasto Mugwadi told NewsDay in March, "The statutory provisions . . . dismiss the myth . . . widely held over the years[,] that a husband cannot rape his wife[,] by taking a progressive position which aligns with international standards and recommendations that seek to protect the rights of women" (para. 4)
Sept. 21, 2025, 10:44 p.m.
Countries: Zimbabwe
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Zimbabwe’s laws already criminalize marital rape" (Para 2).
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Zimbabwe’s laws already criminalize marital rape" (Para 2).
Aug. 31, 2025, 9:08 a.m.
Countries: Chad
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
“The law does not specifically address spousal rape or domestic violence” (Page 15).
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
“The law does not specifically address spousal rape or domestic violence” (Page 15).
April 11, 2025, 4:20 p.m.
Countries: Bhutan
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"[T]he penalties for marital rape have not been increased correspondingly" (2). "Marital rape is criminalised in Bhutan’s Penal Code under all circumstances. However, the offence of marital rape is classified as a petty misdemeanour, carrying a disproportionately low penalty of imprisonment of a maximum term of one year. In contrast, the offence of rape of adult women is considered as a felony of the fourth degree which carries a penalty of imprisonment between 3-5 years. This gradation of offences, whereby marital rape is expressly graded as a petty misdemeanour, promotes an impression under the law that spousal rape is not as serious a crime as so-called 'stranger rape'. It diminishes...more
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"[T]he penalties for marital rape have not been increased correspondingly" (2). "Marital rape is criminalised in Bhutan’s Penal Code under all circumstances. However, the offence of marital rape is classified as a petty misdemeanour, carrying a disproportionately low penalty of imprisonment of a maximum term of one year. In contrast, the offence of rape of adult women is considered as a felony of the fourth degree which carries a penalty of imprisonment between 3-5 years. This gradation of offences, whereby marital rape is expressly graded as a petty misdemeanour, promotes an impression under the law that spousal rape is not as serious a crime as so-called 'stranger rape'. It diminishes...more
April 9, 2025, 10:24 p.m.
Countries: Maldives
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"With regard to criminalizing marital rape, there has been some improvement in this front in terms of new legislations. However, the issue is largely associated with Islam and recognizing marital rape as a crime is seen as anti-Islamic by some highly respected clerics in Maldives as marriage itself is regarded as consent for sex... As a result, it remains debatable if marital rape without any exemptions will ever be criminalized in the Maldives" (6).
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"With regard to criminalizing marital rape, there has been some improvement in this front in terms of new legislations. However, the issue is largely associated with Islam and recognizing marital rape as a crime is seen as anti-Islamic by some highly respected clerics in Maldives as marriage itself is regarded as consent for sex... As a result, it remains debatable if marital rape without any exemptions will ever be criminalized in the Maldives" (6).
March 27, 2025, 7:22 p.m.
Countries: Cambodia
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Of further concern is the fact that marital rape is not prosecuted or deemed as abuse. Neither nonconsensual sex nor incest is enumerated in the DV Law as a type of sexual violence. The Criminal Code Article 239, which defines rape, does not explicitly include a spouse or partner so some advocates of prosecution state that the law prohibits marital rape, but many judges, police, and prosecutors view all sex between spouses or partners to be legal regardless of consent" (5).
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2
"Of further concern is the fact that marital rape is not prosecuted or deemed as abuse. Neither nonconsensual sex nor incest is enumerated in the DV Law as a type of sexual violence. The Criminal Code Article 239, which defines rape, does not explicitly include a spouse or partner so some advocates of prosecution state that the law prohibits marital rape, but many judges, police, and prosecutors view all sex between spouses or partners to be legal regardless of consent" (5).
March 20, 2025, 1:55 p.m.
Countries: Mauritania
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2, DV-LAW-1
"Domestic violence, rape (as well as marital rape), and other forms of harmful practices against women remain highly prevalent and there are still no specific laws nor policies in Mauritania which to combat this scourge" (1).
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2, DV-LAW-1
"Domestic violence, rape (as well as marital rape), and other forms of harmful practices against women remain highly prevalent and there are still no specific laws nor policies in Mauritania which to combat this scourge" (1).