A Systematic Review of Reproductive Coercion in International Settings

Abstract

Reproductive coercion is behavior that interferes with a woman's autonomous reproductive decision-making. It may take the form of birth control sabotage, pregnancy coercion, or controlling the outcome of a pregnancy. Perpetrators may be partners, a partner's family, or the woman's family. This article reviews the literature on reproductive coercion in international settings. In this review of 10 research studies, findings are presented on prevalence and type of reproductive coercion, associated factors, specific tactics, relationship with intimate partner violence and domestic violence (in-laws particularly), and implications for women's reproductive health. Findings highlight reproductive coercion as a subset of intimate partner violence that is poorly understood, especially in international settings. More research is needed on protective factors, how interventions can capitalize on protective factors, and the strategies women use to resist reproductive coercion. Policy implications and recommendations are discussed with particular attention to issues related to diverse social and cultural environments.

Reproductive control by others: means, perpetrators and effects

“…RC can include the insistence on continuation of a pregnancy which the woman regards as unintended or unwanted 6. It is carried out by a variety of means ranging from physical violence, threats of violence or forced sex, to more subtle acts such as threats to withhold resources or to have a baby with someone else, if the pregnancy is terminated.…”

“…More recent reviews cover literature up to the year 2015 in the USA5 and in other countries 6. Our review goes wider than previous reviews in its remit, to include family pressure and criminal activity, and extends the time period to 2017.…”

Barriers to Responding to Reproductive Coercion and Abuse in Australian Primary Care

“…1,3 Male intimate, dating or ex-partners are often perpetrators of RCA, however, family members and other people can be responsible. 4 RCA shares commonalities with both intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual violence (SV). Women who experience RCA are likely to co-experience IPV, 2,5 yet the nuances of this association are unclear.…”

How do health practitioners in a large Australian public hospital identify and respond to reproductive abuse? A qualitative study

“…Reproductive abuse typically takes one of three forms: the use of violence or coercion to force a woman to become pregnant against her will (pregnancy coercion); tampering with, or removing a woman’s birth control (contraceptive sabotage); and attempting to control a pregnancy outcome (forcing a woman to terminate a wanted pregnancy, or to continue an unwanted one) 1 . It is usually perpetrated by a male intimate partner or ex‐partner, although other family members can also be perpetrators 3,4 . Although the term ‘reproductive coercion’ is more commonly used in the extant literature, we have argued that ‘reproductive abuse’ is a more appropriate term, since it highlights the intentionality of the behaviour and the mechanisms of fear, power and control that are central to this gendered form of violence 5…”

“…1 It is usually perpetrated by a male intimate partner or ex-partner, although other family members can also be perpetrators. 3,4 Although the term 'reproductive coercion' is more commonly used in the extant literature, we have argued that 'reproductive abuse' is a more appropriate term, since it highlights the intentionality of the behaviour and the mechanisms of fear, power and control that are central to this gendered form of violence. 5 There is a dearth of research, both in Australia and internationally, aiming to understand reproductive abuse.…”