Preventing reproductive coercion in adolescence

In 2007, we published an interview study of 53 adolescent girls aged 15–20 years with histories of abuse in their intimate relationships.1 14 (26%) of 53 girls described attempts by their male partner to impregnate them against their wishes. These attempts included flushing oral contraceptives down the toilet and tampering with condoms during vaginal sex. Since that first study, many research groups in the USA and internationally have reported on reproductive coercion, refined definitions and measurements, and evaluated interventions.