Which statement best defines reproductive coercion in the context of IPV?

Which statement best defines reproductive coercion in the context of IPV?

• A. Reproductive coercion is not related to IPV.
• B. Reproductive coercion includes acts intended to control pregnancy outcomes, such as sabotaging contraception
• C. Reproductive coercion only involves forcing marriage
• D. Reproductive coercion means providing birth control

Answer: (B)

Reproductive coercion is a form of coercive control in intimate partner violence that targets a person’s ability to make reproductive choices. It includes actions intended to influence pregnancy outcomes, most notably interfering with contraception or pregnancy planning. Sabotaging contraception—such as secretly tampering with birth control, hiding methods, or pressuring a partner to become pregnant or to terminate a pregnancy—illustrates this control over someone’s reproductive autonomy. That’s why the statement describing acts aimed at controlling pregnancy outcomes, including contraception sabotage, best captures reproductive coercion. The other ideas miss the point: claiming it isn’t related to IPV ignores a well-documented coercive tactic; focusing only on forcing marriage describes a different form of coercion; and providing birth control would not reflect coercive control—it could even support autonomy rather than undermine it.

Reproductive coercion is a form of coercive control in intimate partner violence that targets a person’s ability to make reproductive choices. It includes actions intended to influence pregnancy outcomes, most notably interfering with contraception or pregnancy planning. Sabotaging contraception—such as secretly tampering with birth control, hiding methods, or pressuring a partner to become pregnant or to terminate a pregnancy—illustrates this control over someone’s reproductive autonomy. That’s why the statement describing acts aimed at controlling pregnancy outcomes, including contraception sabotage, best captures reproductive coercion.

The other ideas miss the point: claiming it isn’t related to IPV ignores a well-documented coercive tactic; focusing only on forcing marriage describes a different form of coercion; and providing birth control would not reflect coercive control—it could even support autonomy rather than undermine it.