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Below you will find general information about abuse and barriers that are unique to asexual and intersex individuals.
What does “asexual” mean?
Asexual describes someone who does not experience sexual attraction.1
1 “About Asexuality,” The Asexual Visibility & Education Network
What forms of abuse are unique to asexual victims?
Asexual victims of abuse may face specific forms of abuse because they are asexual. In addition to “traditional” forms of abuse, asexual people are vulnerable to abuse based on their lack of sexual attraction. Here are some things abusers may do to gain power and control over asexual victims:
- saying there is something “wrong” with the victim or that the victim is “broken” because they are asexual;
- telling the victim that something is “wrong” with their body, and that is why they are asexual;
- mocking the victim’s body or making the victim feel bad about their body responding or not responding to sexual acts;
- touching the victim’s body without permission or in a way the abuser knows makes the victim uncomfortable;
- threatening the victim with rape or sexual assault to “cure” the victim’s asexuality;
- telling the victim that they are asexual or are confused about being asexual because no one wants to have a relationship or sex with them;
- threatening to tell the victim’s friends, family, or coworkers about their asexuality without their permission; and
- stopping or forbidding the victim from speaking to other asexual people, talking about asexuality, or attending in-person or online support groups for asexual people.1
For more information on domestic abuse and sexual violence toward asexual people, please see Resources for Ace Survivors.
1 This information has been adapted from the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition’s and OUTreach Resource Center’s brochure, “Asexual People and Intimate Partner Violence,” with additional information from The Huffington Post’s “Battling Asexual Discrimination, Sexual Violence And ‘Corrective’ Rape”
What does “intersex” mean?
Intersex is a general term used to refer to someone who is born with reproductive or sexual body parts that don’t seem to fit the typical definition of “male” or “female.” For instance, an intersex person may have a penis, but also have a uterus or ovaries, or be born with genitals that are not clearly defined as a penis or vagina.1
1 “What is intersex,” Intersex Society of North America
What forms of abuse are unique to intersex victims?
Intersex victims of abuse may face specific forms of abuse because they are intersex. In addition to “traditional” forms of abuse, intersex people are vulnerable to abuse based on ignorance or bigotry about their bodies. Intersex victims of domestic violence face similar or higher rates of domestic violence when compared to the general population. In one study from 2007, 50% of intersex victims of domestic violence reported being raped by a romantic partner.1 Here are some things abusers may do to gain power and control over intersex victims:
- threatening to tell the victim’s friends, family, or coworkers that they are intersex without their permission;
- pressuring the victim to behave in a way that conforms to specific stereotypes;
- pressuring the victim to take medications or have surgeries to change their body to conform to a specific set of sexual characteristics;
- telling the victim that they are or are not a specific sexual orientation because they are intersex; and
- accusing the victim of “tricking” the abuser because the victim’s body does not look like what the abuser thinks it should look like.2
For more information and support on intersex issues, please see the Intersex Society of North America.
1 National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
2 This information has been adapted from Intersex Human Rights Australia
