ABSTRACT
Sexual violence that occurs in the context of intimate partner relationships is often misunderstood or overshadowed by physical abuse, and cases involving both domestic violence and sexual assault present myriad barriers to effective therapeutic and criminal justice responses. In addition, interventions and research into children’s exposure to domestic violence have focused almost solely on physical violence, despite the fact that children can and do witness sexual assaults against adults in their homes. Addressing this issue is critical to any effort to support the safety and well-being of victimized parents and their children, to provide children with clinical support around severely traumatic experiences, and to hold offenders accountable for the full extent and impact of their violent and abusive behavior.
