Sexual coercion and sexual consent in intimate partner relationships: A psycho-criminological insight into attachment and intimacy

Many years of clinical practice and research have highlighted the major role of intimacy (and its deficits) in sexual offending. This observation is particularly supported by a consensus on the difficulties in intimacy management and social skills among sexual offenders (Martin & Tardif, 2014). In the field of intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV), attachment bonds have also been recognized as a significant factor associated with both the perpetration of violence and victimization (Velotti et al., 2018; Velotti et al., 2022; Brassard et al., 2023). In recent years, the understanding of sexual violence has been shaped by societal and legal shifts towards a culture of sexual consent. In Belgium, the expression of consent has become central in the legal qualification of sexual offenses. In parallel with this new paradigm arises the issue of sexual coercion, which encompass a range of subtle pressures aimed at inducing an individual to give consent while under pressure, thereby compromising its voluntary nature (Jeffrey et al., 2022). This presentation aims to explore the role of attachment in understanding the interplay between sexual consent and sexual coercion within intimate relationships. Data were collected through an online survey in the general population and interviews with women who have experienced sexual violence in their relationships. Using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, findings indicate that intimacy avoidance emerges as a significant predictor of sexual coercion experienced within couples. The interviews further deepen the understanding of victims’ lived experiences, highlighting the complexity of IPSV and the profound sense of intimacy disruption associated with these experiences. In light of these findings, special attention will be given to the criminological implications of Belgium’s new sexual criminal law and the relational mechanisms underlying these implications.