Video

Reproductive coercion is a serious violation of bodily autonomy
Isabel Guarnieri, Guttmacher US Communications Manager, discusses how anti‑abortion activists are misusing the concept of reproductive coercion to justify restricting medication abortion, even though research shows that coercion most often involves pressuring someone to become or stay pregnant. Limiting abortion access doesn’t prevent abuse, is itself a form of coercion, and worsens harms—especially for communities of color historically targeted by reproductive control.

Transcript: Reproductive coercion is a serious violation of bodily autonomy. It can include sabotaging contraception, impregnating someone against their will, or forcing someone to continue or end a pregnancy.

Recently, some anti-abortion advocates have been using the language of reproductive coercion as a justification to restrict medication abortion. They claim that abusive partners can use these pills to end someone's pregnancy without their consent. And recently, we've seen this language show up in lawsuits targeting shield law providers.

This is a really important and nuanced issue, so let's break it down clearly. Reproductive coercion is a serious issue that must be addressed. However, restricting medication abortion won't stop it or solve the problem.

Using any medication on someone without their knowledge or consent is already a crime, but rather than trying to address the broader patterns of violence and coercion that may underpin this form of abuse, anti-abortion activists are punishing abortion providers and trying to restrict basic health care. Research consistently shows that reproductive coercion far more often involves forcing or pressuring someone to continue a pregnancy or become pregnant, not to end a pregnancy.

At the same time, restricting medication abortion is, in itself, a violation of reproductive autonomy, and research shows that abortion bans are associated with an increased risk of intimate partner violence.

There's also a broader historical context here. Reproductive coercion in the US has disproportionately targeted communities of color, including the forced sterilization and medical experimentation on Indigenous, Black, and Puerto Rican communities. Even now, immigrants in detention centers face state-sponsored reproductive coercion. These communities, along with young people, experience the highest rates of reproductive coercion while also facing the greatest barriers to abortion access. Further restricting medication abortion will only exacerbate that harm.

Invoking reproductive coercion to justify restricting medication abortion distorts the issue and sidesteps meaningful solutions. It also co-opts the language that advocates have used for years to fight against reproductive coercion.

The bottom line is: if these policymakers were genuinely committed to addressing reproductive coercion, they would ensure access to the full range of sexual and reproductive health care and support organizations working to prevent abuse and advocate for reproductive justice.