If you answer yes to any of the following questions you are being or have been subjected to reproductive coercion. It should be noted that reproductive coercion isn’t confined to men using it against women, but also to women using it against men.
Are you being constantly pressured into having sex?
Do they decide whether you can or cannot use the contraceptive pill?
Have you been pressured into having children?
Have you been threatened if you do not agree to have children?
Have you been threatened with violence if you didn’t agree to terminating or continuing with a pregnancy?
Have they promised to withdraw during sex then don’t?
Have they removed the condom during sex?
Have they put holes in the condom?
Have they threatened to leave you if you do not have an abortion?
Have they threatened to leave you if you do have an abortion?
Has your partner lied about having a vasectomy when they haven’t?
Has your partner claimed they are using the contraceptive pill when they are not?
Has your partner claimed to be using another form of contraception, for example an IUD when they are not?
Reproductive coercion is rarely on its own but part of other forms of abuse. It is all part of controlling the victim. If a child or children are born it makes it so much harder for the victim to leave. First there is finding a safe place to stay and then there are the financial implications. If the victim is financially dependent upon the abuser because they have given up work, often forced to give up work to care for the children, how do they support the children and themselves? The abuser will in some circumstances threaten the victim to take the children away if they attempt to leave. This is all part of reproductive coercion as well as a wider pattern of abuse.