Questions & Answers

Rape

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Christian Living › Rape

The question

If the woman was raped as a child by a relative, should she tell the man whom she is considering to marry?

The answer

There is really no reason to reveal this sad event. However, because a woman's virginity may be questioned by some men in different cultures, she may want to reveal some brief information if her fiancée may doubt her integrity after they consummate their marriage. It is never the victim's fault, and her fiancée, if he himself has integrity, should not blame her or disrespect her, but rather love and honor her.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

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Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 2609 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.