Even if the legal loophole were closed, victims face a wall of silence built by:

: The role of religion and community narratives can significantly influence how marital rape is perceived and addressed. Interpretations of religious texts and teachings can affect attitudes towards marriage, obedience, and the body.

For Malay Muslims, the situation is further complicated by Syariah law. A wife’s primary nusyuz (disobedience or rebellion against the husband) is often defined as refusing the husband’s sexual requests without a legitimate Syariah reason (e.g., menstruation, illness, or religious obligations). While Syariah courts have criminalized khalwat (close proximity) and liwat (sodomy), marital rape is not explicitly defined as a crime. The powerful cultural and religious narrative of a wife's duty to satisfy her husband's needs can be weaponized to justify and conceal sexual violence.