The Association Between Intimate Partner Violence and Distance Traveled to Access Abortion in a Nationally Representative Sample of Abortion Patients

Abstract

The objective of this article is to describe a secondary data analysis of the 2008 Abortion Patient Survey (APS 2008) data exploring the association between intimate partner violence (IPV) and travel distances in a national sample of patients seeking abortion services in the United States. The researchers used the 2008 APS, which is the most recent publicly available version of this dataset, to conduct chi-square tests to examine the bivariate associations between all independent and dependent variables. Prevalence ratios were calculated to determine the association between physical and sexual violence and distance traveled to get an abortion, controlling for length of pregnancy, age, education, income, poverty category, race, relationship status, insurance type, whether women went to the closest clinic, whether the pregnancy was wanted, and number of previous abortions. Results indicate that approximately 83% of the women traveled between 1 and 50 miles, 11% traveled between 51 and 100 miles, 4% traveled between 101 and 150 miles, and 3% traveled more than 151 miles to get an abortion. Prevalence ratios (PR) reveal that physical violence was significantly associated with distance traveled to get an abortion (PR = 1.15, p < .05) when all control variables were accounted for. Patients in abusive relationships that involve physical violence may have to travel longer distances to access abortion. Repeal of policy that impedes access to abortion is recommended.

Experiences of Reproductive Coercion in Queensland Women

“…Furthermore, it is important to note that, given that the group of women experiencing reproductive coercion were also most likely to identify as “separated,” it is possible that this group of women were attempting to remove themselves from potentially abusive relationships. By seeking information regarding a termination of pregnancy, they may have been attempting to ensure any potential child is not raised in a violent environment (Chibber, Biggs, Roberts, & Foster, 2014; Ely & Murshid, 2017).…”

Help-Seeking and Barriers to Care in Intimate Partner Sexual Violence: A Systematic Review

“…All findings are summarized below and in Tables 1 –4. Of the 13 quantitative studies, nine were descriptive cross-sectional (Bonomi et al, 2006; Cattaneo et al, 2008; Duterte et al, 2008; Ely & Murshid, 2017; Flicker et al, 2011; Kim & Hogge, 2015; Lucea et al, 2013; Ullman et al, 2006; Zweig & Burt, 2007) and four were descriptive prospective or cohort studies (Gilroy et al, 2015; Holt et al, 2003; Howard et al, 2003; McFarlane, Malecha, Watson et al, 2005). Seven of the quantitative studies assessed help-seeking behaviors in IPSV (Bonomi et al, 2006; Cattaneo et al, 2008; Duterte et al, 2008; Flicker et al, 2011; Holt et al, 2003; Howard et al, 2003; McFarlane, Malecha, Watson et al, 2005).…”

Associations Between Unintended Pregnancy, Domestic Violence, and Sexual Assault in a Population of Queensland Women

“…This suggests that forms of violence against women and mental health issues are and continue to be significant factors in unintended pregnancy and attempts to access abortion services. Previous research indicates that women experiencing violence are more likely to seek termination of pregnancy to remove themselves from violent relationships and to avoid bringing children into an abusive environment (Chibber, Biggs, Roberts, & Foster, 2014;Ely & Murshid, 2017). While most coercion involves pregnancy promotion, some women in abusive relationships are also at risk for coercion into abortions, often with threats to end the relationship if the pregnancy is not terminated, which we were unable to assess within our data (Moore, Frohwirth, & Miller, 2010;Silverman et al, 2010).…”