July 2024 newsletter continued:
“A 2010 study found that the prevalence of intimate partner violence reported among women seeking care in gynecologic clinics is much higher than population-based estimates. This may be because intimate partner violence is associated with increased pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection.
Further, studies have shown links between “RC and IPV, unwanted pregnancies, poor mental health, decreased contraceptive self-efficacy, and increased risk of sexually transmitted infections.” This is where reproductive health professionals are uniquely positioned to reach people victimized by abusive relationships. Reproductive healthcare providers are in a critical position where they can identify patterns in a person’s record and conduct screenings for reproductive coercion, which can prevent many from getting trapped in a cycle of abuse.
The pandemic has also exacerbated domestic violence, and the highest rates of this are seen in domestic violence survivors. Limited access to reproductive health care due to social distancing and fear of infection among health-seeking populations contribute to reproductive coercion going unchecked.” [5]
According to Dr. Miller, it is critical to consider reproductive coercion through an intersectional lens. “We found that Black and Latina women (and adolescents who identify as female) report experiencing RC more than their white counterparts,” Miller said. “We have highlighted that this has to be understood in the context of structural inequities and systemic racism.” [6]
“When fear is present, consent cannot be present,” Amber said. “Many people are being coerced without realizing it because their fear mechanism is what is making the decisions for them.” –Kate Amber, Founder ECCUSA
Combatting Reproductive Coercion
Sexual violence is often perpetrated without consequence. The burden of proof is placed on the survivor, which is challenging to prove with reproductive coercion when physical evidence may not be apparent. Federal policy on intimate partner violence focuses on a person’s use, attempted use, or threats of physical violence, but fails to include reproductive coercion.
Healthcare professionals and physicians must be equipped to screen and counsel survivors of IPV. Policies requiring training for physicians on identifying and assessing reproductive coercion will increase patient’s awareness and provide strategies such as offering patients more discreet forms of contraception.
Until policy changes are implemented, resources are available for immediate guidance and care like the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which can be reached at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or by texting BEGIN to 88788 to get in touch with a crisis counselor or download the Bright Sky app to find local & national resources.
“It is particularly dangerous in this new legal landscape for pregnant abuse survivors. Perpetrators could now use new laws, or confusion about those laws, to harass and threaten their partners. And the stigma of abortion bans creates a culture where abusers feel even more entitled to control and punish their intimate partners for their reproductive decisions. Attacks on abortion access and harmful unnecessary restrictions put survivor’s lives and safety at risk. To ignore the impact of a victim not being able to control their own bodies is nothing short of cruel.” [6]