The outlook of Maltese university students on non-consensual marital sex

Abstract

The current study investigated the attitudes of Maltese University Students towards non-consensual marital sex, also known as marital rape, as a behaviour and offence, together with the level of influence of rape myth acceptance, sex role expectations and religion. Two hundred students participated and completed an online questionnaire. Additionally, a number of professionals, having relevant experience, were interviewed in order to investigate marital rape in Malta. Results obtained were triangulated. The professionals indicated that the Maltese appear to be aware and intolerant of this abuse. The Catholic Church does not promote attitudes which could lead to marital rape. Locally, the prevalence of marital rape is not known as it is seldom reported and Malta‟s small size discourages victims from reporting. This study found that the cases that come to light are generally the most extreme and that perpetrators tend to have been socialised in the patriarchal family model. The media is developing rape myths regarding immigrants and the credibility of victims. The police tend to minimise seriousness of rape if a sexual history existed between victim and perpetrator. Participants indicated awareness of marital rape and their endorsement of this behaviour was low. Participant‟s acceptance of rape myths and sex role expectations was low. They recognised marital rape as a crime but not as an aggravating factor and not as traumatic as stranger rape. The participants‟ interpretations of the Church's views on marriage concurred with current official teachings. This study confirmed previous findings in respect of those participants who displayed views supportive of marital rape.