NCJ Number
230504
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 16 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2010 Pages: 601-612
Date Published
May 2010
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study assessed to what extent adult women in abusive relationships experienced birth control sabotage, partner's unwillingness to use condoms, forced sex, partner infidelity, and unintended pregnancies, as well as the extent to which these experiences influenced reproductive health care needs after the women had left their partners and moved to a shelter or transitional housing facility.
Abstract
Women who experience intimate partner violence often experience birth control sabotage, forced sex, and partner's unwillingness to use condoms. The authors interviewed 53 women at 4 domestic violence shelters. Participants reported that their abusive partners frequently refused to use condoms, impeded them from accessing health care, and subjected them to birth control sabotage, infidelity, and forced sex. However, women also reported strategies to counteract these actions, particularly against birth control sabotage and attempts to force them to abort or continue a pregnancy. Domestic violence counselors can focus on these successful strategies to validate coping skills and build self-esteem. Tables and references (Published Abstract)