Sexual coercion within marriage in Quang Tri, Vietnam

Sexual coercion in marriage is not widely talked about in Vietnam. Against this background, the present study aimed to describe how and why non-consensual sex in marital settings occurs in a rural community in Vietnam. Data were collected from 81 married men and women through ethnographic fieldwork, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Findings revealed that silence and lack of resistance on the part of women in sex are interpreted as consent, and cultural values often encourage women to accept coercion 'voluntarily'. Lack of information on, and public dialogue about, sexuality make it difficult for sexually inexperienced people to gain knowledge before commencing sexual relationships and often lead to traumatic first experiences. These factors combine to make women develop negative attitudes toward sex or to deny sex altogether. To better understand sexual coercion within marriage, we should look not only at physical acts but also at cultural and gendered perceptions and practices in a specific setting. Findings highlight the need for a comprehensive response to tackling sexual coercion within marriage.