Birth control sabotage

Birth control sabotage, or reproductive coercion, refers to efforts to manipulate another person's use of birth control or to undermine efforts to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. Examples include replacing birth control pills with fakes, puncturing condoms and diaphragms, or threats and violence to prevent an individual's attempted use of birth control.^[1] A related concept, Contraceptive fraud is intentional misrepresentation regarding the use of or need for birth control.^[2]

The sabotage or fraud may be practiced by either sexual partner, or by a third party.

Domestic violence

Birth control sabotage is frequently associated with physical or sexual violence, and is a contributor to high pregnancy rates, especially teenage pregnancy rates, among abused, disadvantaged women and teenagers.^[3][4][5]

Studies on the birth control sabotage performed by males against female partners have indicated a strong correlation between domestic violence and birth control sabotage. These studies have identified two main classes of the phenomenon:^[6]

• Verbal sabotage: verbal or emotional pressure not to use birth control, or pressure to become pregnant.
• Behavioral sabotage: the use of force to prevent the use of birth control, or to have unprotected sexual intercourse.

See also

• Domestic violence and pregnancy
• Contraceptive security
• Forced marriage
• Paternity fraud
• Reproductive rights
• Sabotage
• Pharmaceutical fraud

References

1. ^ Miller, Dr Elizabeth et al.: Male Partner Pregnancy-Promoting Behaviors and Adolescent Partner Violence: Findings from a Qualitative Study with Adolescent Females, UC Davis School of Medicine/Harvard School of Public Health/Boston University School of Public Health, 2 March 2007.
2. ^ Brenda Saiz. "NOTE: TORT LAW: Tort Liability when Fraudulent Misrepresentation Regarding Birth Control Results in the Birth of a Healthy Child-Wallis v. Smith". https://litigation-essentials.lexisnexis.com/webcd/app?action=DocumentDisplay&crawlid=1&doctype=cite&docid=32+N.M.L.+Rev.+549&srctype=smi&srcid=3B15&key=87847dde62010c75eb74ab03f1550dc7. Retrieved 8-13-2011. 
3. ^ Reproductive coercion and partner violence increase risk of unintended pregnancy, News-Medical.net, January 25, 2010
4. ^ Coerced Reproduction, Newsweek online, January 26, 2010
5. ^ Reproductive coercion often is accompanied by physical or sexual violence, study finds
6. ^ Domestic Violence and Birth Control Sabotage: A Report from the Teen Parent Project, Center for Impact Research, 1999.