An Examination of Domestic Violence Advocates’ Responses to Reproductive Coercion

Abstract

Reproductive coercion (RC) is a form of intimate partner violence (IPV) that continues to lack adequate attention by both researchers and practitioners. RC is defined as "male partners' attempts to promote pregnancy in their female partners through verbal pressure and threats to become pregnant (pregnancy coercion), direct interference with contraception (birth control sabotage), and threats and coercion related to pregnancy continuation or termination (control of pregnancy outcomes)." This type of partner violence can have serious consequences on a survivor's health and well-being. Despite the fact that RC has been reported by many women experiencing IPV, and that this type of abuse appears to be disproportionately targeted against marginalized women, little is known about the extent to which advocates either proactively or reactively address it. To redress this, the current study involved a brief online survey sent to domestic violence victim service advocates across the United States and its territories. More than 700 advocates responded about their comfort, practices, and perceived barriers related to RC and survivors' sexual health. Despite identifying (a) low levels of discomfort when discussing most topics relating to RC and (b) few barriers to discussing RC, few advocates reported regularly engaging in RC-related practices. Both greater levels of discomfort and identification of more barriers were associated with less frequent coercion-related practice. Study implications highlight the need for more specialized advocate training, and organizational support for advocates to comfortably and safely provide information and support about RC to survivors.

Reproductive and Sexual Coercion: The Role of Alcohol, Social and Demographic Conditions

“…In this connection, it is important to distinguish between the relationship dysfunction and violent entrapment or "battered woman syndrome" including the learned helplessness [44,45]. RC is regarded to be a form of IPV; it can lead to unintended pregnancy, abortion, poor pregnancy outcomes, STI, psychological trauma and depression [2,3,46,47]. Among potential contributing factors are disrespect for laws and regulations, impunity of some offenses and offenders, habitual display of death and violence on TV indirectly trivializing less spectacular phenomena such as the IPV, sexual and reproductive coercion.…”

“…Reproductive coercion (RC) interferes with a woman's decisionmaking regarding reproductive health; it may consist of contraception sabotage and/or pressure to either carry a pregnancy to term or to have an abortion [1]. The RC definitions include male partners' attempts to promote pregnancy through verbal pressure and threats [2]. The contraception sabotage includes hiding, withholding or destroying contraceptives, deliberate tearing or removing of condoms or failing to withdraw in an attempt to induce pregnancy despite a female partner's wishes to prevent the pregnancy [3].…”

Reproductive Coercion and Legal Recognition: Views of Domestic Violence Support Workers and Lawyers

“…Most research about RC to date has focused on healthcare settings IJCJ&SD 3 www.crimejusticejournal.com (Fleury-Steiner and Miller 2019;Tarzia et al 2019a;Tarzia et al 2019b). One US study explored the extent to which DV advocates proactively and/or reactively addressed RC with women accessing DV victim services (McGirr et al 2017). This study found that despite low levels of discomfort when discussing topics related to RC and minimal barriers to discussing it, few advocates regularly addressed the topic.…”

“…This study found that despite low levels of discomfort when discussing topics related to RC and minimal barriers to discussing it, few advocates regularly addressed the topic. McGirr et al (2017) recommended universal education to every client, with discussions covering typical coercive behaviours, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing, contraception that can be used without a partner's knowledge as well as checking that pregnant survivors feel safe to decide about their pregnancies. As little is known about how support workers and lawyers respond to disclosures of RC we explore the issue in the following sections of this article.…”

Alcohol Abuse, Reproductive Coercion and Intimate Partner Violence: Case Reports and Mini-Review

“…RC is defined e.g. as male partners' attempts to promote pregnancy through verbal pressure and threats (pregnancy coercion), direct interference with contraception (birth control sabotage), threats and coercion related to pregnancy continuation or termination (control of pregnancy outcomes) [1]. Contraception sabotage includes hiding, withholding, destroying, or removing female-controlled contraceptives or deliberately breaking or removing a condom during sex or failing to withdraw in an attempt to promote pregnancy despite a female partner's wishes to prevent pregnancy [2].…”