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Sexual coercion

What it is

Pressuring someone into sex with force, threats, blackmail, or coercion. Consent doesn't survive pressure. Inside a relationship, forced sex is sexual violence.

How it gets justified

We're a couple — it's your obligation.

There's no sexual obligation inside a relationship. Consent is moment-to-moment, or it isn't there. Forcing sex inside a relationship is sexual violence.

If you really loved me, you wouldn't say no.

Love doesn't override the right to say no. Turning rejection into a measure of love is sexual blackmail. Your body has the right to decide in every moment — without exception.

Related patterns

If this is happening now, get help.

These behaviors put your life at risk. You don't have to face this alone.

See emergency resources

Something feels off but you can't name it?

An exercise to listen to what the body already knows.