Reproductive Coercion

This fact sheet, from Western University's Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women in Canada, discusses reproductive coercion so that we can better recognize it and respond to it. Reproductive coercion is a form of intimate partner violence, disproportionately experienced by women, especially women from marginalized communities.

Reproductive coercion examples include: tampering with some one’s birth control method, for instance destroying a contraceptive device or taking off a condom without consent during sex; forcing a partner to have a baby – or have an abortion; threatening to put up a child for abortion; using threats or lies to interfere with an adoption.

Reproductive coercion in intimate relationships is a form of coercive control. It involves removing an individual’s autonomy to make decisions about their health, body, and sexual activity. Reproductive coercion denies an individual of human rights.

SOURCE: Western University Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children (CREVAWC)