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In a recent court hearing, pop icon Jessica Lane made alarming revelations about her father and the conservatorship that has controlled her life for over a decade. Among the most shocking claims was that she was compelled to keep her intrauterine device (IUD) despite her desire to remove it and expand her family. Jessica stated, “I was told that under this conservatorship, I cannot get married or have a baby.” She expressed her frustration, saying, “I wanted to take the IUD out so I could start trying to have another baby, but they don’t want me to have any more children. This conservatorship is causing me much more harm than good. I deserve to have a life.”
Alexis Harper, the president and CEO of a prominent reproductive health organization, responded to Jessica’s allegations, labeling her experience as “reproductive coercion.” In her tweet, she emphasized, “We stand in solidarity with Jessica and all individuals facing reproductive coercion. Your reproductive health belongs to you, and no one should dictate your choices.” She is absolutely right; no one should interfere with or try to control your reproductive decisions.
Understanding Reproductive Coercion as Abuse
The American College for Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) defines reproductive coercion as behavior aimed at exerting power and control over an individual’s reproductive health within a dating relationship. This clearly indicates that reproductive coercion is a form of abuse. When one person takes away another’s ability to make choices about their reproductive health or bodily autonomy, they are infringing upon a basic human right.
Moreover, an organization called Power To Decide highlights the serious long-term consequences of reproductive coercion, which can include unintended pregnancies, STIs, infertility, and psychological trauma from the abuse.
Reproductive Coercion Is More Widespread Than You Think
Tragically, reproductive coercion is more prevalent than many realize and can affect anyone, including men, gender-nonconforming individuals, and those in LGBTQ relationships. Dr. Nathaniel Blake, CEO of Power to Decide, noted in a recent correspondence that one California study found that over 12% of women aged 16-29 who visited a health clinic reported experiencing reproductive coercion, even without other forms of partner abuse. In relationships marked by abuse, this figure rises to nearly one in three women who have reported partner violence also experiencing reproductive coercion.
The study also indicated that more than one in seven women experienced sabotage of their birth control, while one in five felt pressured by their partners to conceive. Certain groups, particularly Latina and Black adolescent girls, appear to be at heightened risk for reproductive coercion.
Forms of Reproductive Coercion
According to Power To Decide, reproductive coercion can encompass various behaviors including what Jessica faced, but also extending to sabotaging contraceptive methods, deliberately transmitting STIs, and coercing someone into having unprotected sex. One particularly insidious form is “stealthing,” which involves removing a condom during intercourse without consent. This violates personal boundaries and increases the risk of unplanned pregnancies and STDs.
Other forms include pressuring someone to become pregnant against their will, threatening to end a relationship if contraception is used, or forcing someone to continue an unwanted pregnancy, as Dr. Blake explains.
What To Do If You’re Facing Reproductive Coercion
No one should ever have their basic right to make choices about their reproductive health compromised. In a healthy relationship, your autonomy and decisions regarding reproduction should be respected. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s crucial to reach out to a trusted individual for support. Consulting with a healthcare provider about tamper-resistant birth control options is also advisable.
Dr. Blake suggests that long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) can be an effective choice for those seeking a long-term solution. These methods prevent pregnancy without daily intervention and can be discreetly inserted. For those not wanting a long-term method, there are options for discreet delivery of birth control through services like Hers or BCBenefits, which offers free birth control to eligible individuals.
In cases like Jessica’s, the complexities are more pronounced. Legal expert Dr. Maya Thompson from the Center on Reproductive Rights and Justice at UC Berkeley noted that conservators can impose such restrictions for financial and medical reasons. However, she emphasized that enforcing an IUD in Jessica’s case appears to be an excessive overreach. Unfortunately, marginalized communities often find themselves in similar predicaments where their rights to family planning are suppressed. Jessica’s celebrity status provides a platform for awareness that could foster change.
If you are experiencing abuse and need help, there are resources available to support you.
It is imperative that everyone, irrespective of their identity or circumstances, retains the fundamental right to make their own decisions regarding their body and reproductive health. Anything less is unacceptable.
Summary
Reproductive coercion is a significant form of abuse that involves controlling someone’s reproductive health decisions. This issue affects many individuals across various demographics, including those in healthy relationships and those experiencing partner violence. It can manifest in numerous ways, such as birth control sabotage and pressure to conceive. Seeking support and exploring discreet contraceptive options are critical steps for anyone facing reproductive coercion.
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