this issue has come up in this forum or PTSD before and the answer varies from state to state unfortunately. no SHOULD mean no but when two people enter into a binding legal contract in the eyes of their governemt there are certain laws that go along with that contract. the best thing to find out for certain would be to contact your local womens health center or domestic violence shelter and have them explain EXACTLY what the laws are for your area. they are also trained to talk to survivors to assist those survivors in learning that they have rights that no one can take away.

the road back to healing after such a traumatic experience isn't easy but with professional help and CONCRETE information that is verified to be correct about the intricacies of legal grey areas one can continue on their healing work and put such horrors behind them.