Spousal Abuse and How to Prove It in Court

A Legal Guide to Domestic Violence and Protection of Victims in Iran

Introduction

What Is Considered Spousal Abuse?

According to Article 2 of the Law on the Protection of the Family and the Islamic Penal Code: Any physical, psychological, economic, or sexual behavior that causes harm, humiliation, intimidation, or deprivation of a spouse’s legitimate rights constitutes abuse. 📌 This includes beatings, insults, forced sex, financial control, and emotional manipulation.

Common Types of Spousal Abuse

Physical abuse: slapping, beating, burning, pushing, bodily harm

Emotional abuse: humiliation, threats of divorce or child removal, insults

Economic abuse: cutting off financial access, withholding alimony, travel bans

Sexual abuse: forced intercourse or coercive intimacy

• Extreme control: banning work, education, visiting family, or social activity

How Can Spousal Abuse Be Proven in Court?

Since these crimes often occur in private without witnesses, proof can include:

Forensic Medical Reports: documenting physical or psychological harm

Text messages, voice notes, chat logs, or recorded calls