When was marital rape recognized as a crime across all states?

Marital rape began to gain legal recognition as a crime in the 1970s. This period marked a significant shift in societal attitudes towards marital relations and consent. Prior to this time, many legal systems operated under the assumption that consent to sexual relations was granted through marriage itself, often making it challenging to prosecute instances of rape committed within a marriage.

The feminist movement of the 1970s played a crucial role in advocating for the acknowledgment of marital rape as a violation of women's rights and bodily autonomy. This advocacy led to changes in laws in various states, shaping a legal landscape that increasingly recognized the need for consent, even within marriage. As a result, by the end of the 1980s and into the 1990s, all states had adopted laws that criminalized marital rape, with varying degrees of specificity and enforcement.

Considering this historical context, the 1970s serves as the correct juncture when significant legal changes regarding marital rape began to take root, setting the stage for comprehensive recognition in subsequent decades.