Prevention Strategies for ParentsThe Connection Between Dating Violence and Pregnancy

Reproductive coercion involves behaviors aimed to maintain power and control in a relationship related to reproductive health by someone who is, was, or wishes to be involved in an intimate or dating relationship with an adult or adolescent. This can include:

• Attempts to impregnate a partner or become pregnant against the other partner’s wishes
• Controlling outcomes of pregnancy (including forcing a female to get an abortion, or to remain pregnant)
• Coercing a partner to have unprotected sex
• Interfering with birth control methods (including poking holes in condoms)

Sexual coercion includes creating a feeling, situation or atmosphere where emotional and physical control lead to sexual abuse or rape, or a victim feeling that he or she has no choice but to submit to sexual activity with the perpetrator. This can include:

• Repeatedly pressuring a partner to have sex when he or she does not want to
• Threatening to end a relationship if a person does not have sex
• Forcing a partner not to use condoms
• Intentionally exposing a partner to a STI or HIV

Birth control sabotage is the active interference with a partner’s contraceptive methods. This can include:

• Destroying or disposing of contraceptives
• Impeding condom use (including lying about whether the condom is actually on during sex)
• Preventing birth control access or use
• Threatening physical harm for contraception use