Sexually abusive methods of retaining power and control include an abusive partner:

 Forcing you to dress in a sexual way

 Insulting you in sexual ways or calls you sexual names

 Forcing or manipulating you into to having sex or performing sexual acts

 Holding you down during sex

 Demanding sex when you're sick, tired or after hurting you

 Hurting you with weapons or objects during sex

 Involving other people in sexual activities with you against your will

 Ignoring your feelings regarding sex

 Forcing you to watch pornography

 Purposefully trying to pass on a sexually transmitted disease to you

Sexual coercion

Sexual coercion lies on the 'continuum' of sexually aggressive behavior. It can vary from being egged on and persuaded, to being forced to have sexual contact.

It can be verbal and emotional, in the form of statements that make you feel pressure, guilt, or shame. You can also be made to feel forced through more subtle actions. An abusive partner could use one or more of these actions:

 Make you feel like you owe them – for example because you're in a relationship, because you've had sex before, because they spent money on you or bought you a gift

 Giving you drugs and alcohol to "loosen up" your inhibitions

 Playing on the fact that you're in a relationship, saying things such as: "Sex is the way to prove your love for me," "If I don't get sex from you I'll get it somewhere else"

 Reacting negatively with sadness, anger or resentment if you say no or don't immediately agree to something

 Continuing to pressure you after you say no

 Making you feel threatened or afraid of what might happen if you say no

 Trying to normalize their sexual expectations: for example saying "I need it, I'm a man"

Even if your partner isn't forcing you to do sexual acts against your will, being made to feel obligated is coercion in itself. Dating someone, being in a relationship, or being married never means that you owe your partner intimacy of any kind.

Do you have any tips for anyone going through or recovering from sexual abuse?

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