Intimate Partner Violence and Termination of Pregnancy: The Overlooked Connection: Deciding to end a pregnancy is a deeply personal and often painful choice. But for many women, that decision is not just about reproductive health—it’s about survival. Studies show a strong link between intimate partner violence (IPV) and termination of pregnancy (TOP), revealing how abuse can directly shape a woman’s reproductive choices and overall well-being.
How Violence Affects Reproductive Autonomy
The connection between IPV and unintended pregnancy goes beyond physical harm. Many abusive relationships involve reproductive coercion—a form of control where a partner interferes with contraception or reproductive decisions. This might mean hiding birth control pills, damaging condoms, or preventing access to family planning services. In some cases, an abuser may intentionally cause pregnancy to tighten control over the relationship.
For women living with violence, the risk of unintended or mistimed pregnancies is significantly higher. They may face forced sex, fear of negotiating condom use, or emotional manipulation around pregnancy. In such situations, termination of pregnancy can seem like the only way to reclaim control over their bodies and futures.
At the same time, coercion can also take the opposite form. Some abusers pressure their partners to continue a pregnancy they want to end, using threats or physical violence to enforce their will. Either way, women’s autonomy over their reproductive health is stripped away.
The Numbers Tell a Clear Story
The statistics are alarming but consistent. According to the World Health Organization, women who have experienced intimate partner violence are twice as likely to have an unintended pregnancy and more likely to seek abortion services. A major global review found that about one in four women seeking an abortion has experienced IPV in her lifetime.
This link doesn’t end with the decision to terminate a pregnancy. Many women feel forced to hide their abortion from their abusive partner. In regions where safe abortion access is limited, this often leads to self-managed or unsafe abortions, putting their physical and mental health at even greater risk.
Why Healthcare Providers Matter
Reproductive health services—especially abortion clinics—are often the first and sometimes only point of contact for women experiencing violence. That makes these settings crucial for early intervention.
Healthcare professionals should integrate routine and confidential IPV screening into abortion and post-abortion care. These screenings must be done privately and compassionately, allowing women to disclose abuse without fear of retaliation. Beyond medical care, providers can offer emotional support, safety planning, and referrals to domestic violence resources.
A Call for Safer Choices
Addressing intimate partner violence is not only a matter of preventing abuse—it’s essential for protecting women’s reproductive freedom and mental health. When women have access to safe abortion care, supportive counseling, and protection from violence, they are empowered to make choices based on their needs—not fear or coercion.
Ending the cycle of violence and reproductive control requires more awareness, better healthcare responses, and stronger community support. Every woman deserves the right to make decisions about her body safely, freely, and with dignity.