Reproductive Coercion and Abuse among Clients with Disabilities of an Australian Pregnancy Options Counselling Service: Brief Report

Abstract Purpose Reproductive coercion and abuse (RCA) includes behaviors aimed at controlling the reproductive autonomy of a woman or person who can become pregnant. It is associated with poorer psychological and sexual health outcomes. People with disabilities face significantly higher rates of intimate partner violence (IPV), yet there is a dearth of research describing the extent and types of RCA they experience. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of RCA among pregnant people with disabilities who contacted an all-options pregnancy counseling service in Australia. Methods Quantitative data collected during routine client support by counselors and intake officers were analyzed descriptively, and using measures of association and significance, to identify the extent of RCA and IPV among a sample of 110 pregnant people with disabilities. Results Thirty-four participants (30.9%) reported experiencing any form of RCA in relation to their current pregnancy, with similar rates of pregnancy promoting and pregnancy preventing RCA identified. Experiences of RCA were moderately associated with experiences of IPV. Conclusions Almost a third of clients with disabilities reported RCA to their pregnancy options counselors, compared with 15.1% of the organization’s wider client base. This indicates significantly elevated risk of RCA among pregnant people with disabilities, with important implications for reproductive choice and rights. Further research is needed to explain, confirm, and expand on these findings of this brief report to increase capability to respond to RCA and inform evidence-based prevention and interventions.