Domestic and sexual violence is about power and control. When an abuser uses intimidation, threats, or physical violence to control their partner’s reproductive choices, it can prohibit a survivor from being able to safely leave their abuser. By forcing a partner to stay pregnant, an abuser is attempting to keep their partner dependent and trapped in the relationship.
Survivors and all people deserve the right to choose what is best for their own bodies.
Pregnancy can also increase a person’s vulnerability to violence by an abusive partner. Survivors experiencing both reproductive coercion and domestic and sexual violence are less likely to have the autonomy to make family planning decisions. This can be especially challenging for individuals who already face substantial barriers to leaving abusive situations and accessing critical, life-saving resources, such as survivors of color and LGBTQ+ survivors.
The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence believes that survivors should be able to have access to safe and affordable healthcare that they need as a result of the abuse they have experienced, including access to abortion. The ability for a survivor to make decisions over their own bodies is essential to breaking the cycle of violence.
Survivors and all people deserve the right to choose what is best for their own bodies.
Pregnancy can also increase a person’s vulnerability to violence by an abusive partner. Survivors experiencing both reproductive coercion and domestic and sexual violence are less likely to have the autonomy to make family planning decisions. This can be especially challenging for individuals who already face substantial barriers to leaving abusive situations and accessing critical, life-saving resources, such as survivors of color and LGBTQ+ survivors.
The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence believes that survivors should be able to have access to safe and affordable healthcare that they need as a result of the abuse they have experienced, including access to abortion. The ability for a survivor to make decisions over their own bodies is essential to breaking the cycle of violence.
What is Reproductive Coercion?
Reproductive coercion is another common, and often invisible, form of domestic and sexual violence where one partner exerts power over another partner removing their ability to control their own reproductive health. This usually involves a pattern of threats or acts of violence, including forcing a partner to have unprotected sex, interfering with contraceptive methods, or intentionally exposing a partner to a sexually transmitted disease.
Research has shown a link between experiences of violence and unplanned pregnancies. Not only do unplanned pregnancies increase women’s risk of experiencing abuse, but experiencing violence also increases women’s risk for having an unplanned pregnancy. If your partner is exhibiting behavior such as hiding, withholding or tampering with your birth control methods, you may be experiencing reproductive coercion.
Healthcare is essential for a survivor's long-term safety and well-being
Survivors can experience several critical health impacts as a consequence of sexual violence. In fact, the data from the CDC’s most recent survey of sexual violence in the United States identified several immediate impacts of rape among women. For example, 1 in 7 women contracted a sexually transmitted infection as a result of rape, and 1 in 7 women became pregnant as a result of being raped. This reflects the nearly 3 million women who experience rape-related pregnancy during their lifetime.
Women who have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime are also more likely to experience asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, chronic pain, and difficulty sleeping. It’s important that survivors receive medical treatment and support after experiencing sexual violence to help prevent long-term health consequences.
Reproductive coercion is another common, and often invisible, form of domestic and sexual violence where one partner exerts power over another partner removing their ability to control their own reproductive health. This usually involves a pattern of threats or acts of violence, including forcing a partner to have unprotected sex, interfering with contraceptive methods, or intentionally exposing a partner to a sexually transmitted disease.
Research has shown a link between experiences of violence and unplanned pregnancies. Not only do unplanned pregnancies increase women’s risk of experiencing abuse, but experiencing violence also increases women’s risk for having an unplanned pregnancy. If your partner is exhibiting behavior such as hiding, withholding or tampering with your birth control methods, you may be experiencing reproductive coercion.
Healthcare is essential for a survivor's long-term safety and well-being
Survivors can experience several critical health impacts as a consequence of sexual violence. In fact, the data from the CDC’s most recent survey of sexual violence in the United States identified several immediate impacts of rape among women. For example, 1 in 7 women contracted a sexually transmitted infection as a result of rape, and 1 in 7 women became pregnant as a result of being raped. This reflects the nearly 3 million women who experience rape-related pregnancy during their lifetime.
Women who have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime are also more likely to experience asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, chronic pain, and difficulty sleeping. It’s important that survivors receive medical treatment and support after experiencing sexual violence to help prevent long-term health consequences.
"Reproductive coercion comprises a range of behaviors, but regardless of which are used, it's important to understand that it is abuse"
- Shivani Patel, M.D. Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Shivani Patel, M.D. Obstetrics and Gynecology
for Survivors: What are my Resources?
Below are a list of resources and services that are available to survivors in New Hampshire should they need to access reproductive healthcare or medical exams as a result of abuse.
Resources & Support
NH Abortion Provider Information
In New Hampshire, abortion remains safe and legal up until 24 weeks. In certain circumstances, such as a fatal fetal diagnosis or the life of the pregnant individual is at risk, abortions can still be accessed after 24 weeks.
National Resources
Resources & Support
NH Abortion Provider Information
In New Hampshire, abortion remains safe and legal up until 24 weeks. In certain circumstances, such as a fatal fetal diagnosis or the life of the pregnant individual is at risk, abortions can still be accessed after 24 weeks.
- Planned Parenthood of Northern New England
- Lovering Health Center
- Equality Health Center
- Reproductive Services of Manchester
- Dartmouth Health OB/GYN Department
National Resources
- National Network of Abortion Funds
- Abortion Care Network
- Reproductive Equity Now Foundation
- SisterSong
- Indigenous Women Rising
- Miscarriage & Abortion Hotline: 1-833-246-2632
- Connect & Breathe Talkline: 1-866-647-1764
National Statistics
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For women, intimate partners were the most common perpetrator for sexual coercion (58%).
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1 in 4 women reported being raped at least once in their lifetime.
1 in 4 women reported experiencing sexual coercion in their lifetime. |
83% of women reported rape victimization occurring before the age of 25.
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Intimate partner violence and reproductive health are closely connected and cannot be properly addressed separately.
NHCADSV stands with survivors everywhere.
NHCADSV stands with survivors everywhere.
Our Supporting Partners
The 12 member programs of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence provide services regardless of gender,age, health status (including HIV-positive), physical, mental or emotional ability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, socio-economic status, race, national origin, immigration status or religious or political affiliation.
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Funding for this website was provided by The Corporate Fund.
New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
PO Box 353, Concord, NH 03302-0353
(603) 224-8893
New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
PO Box 353, Concord, NH 03302-0353
(603) 224-8893
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