Sexual abuse ranging from verbal degradation to torture is far more prevalent in cases involving other forms of intimate partner violence than is generally recognized. Recent research with battered women reveals intimate partner sexual abuse to be a hidden but frequent aspect of family violence with important implications for the justice system. It is a significant factor in risk assessment; in decision-making in civil, criminal, family, juvenile and probate cases; and in custody and visitation determinations. Forced sex is now known to be a key factor in assessing potential lethality. Thus it is important for the justice system to have strategies that encourage victims to disclose intimate partner sexual abuse and resources for effective offender dispositions and management.