Abortion inequities highlighted at the Inquiry hearing into abortion and reproductive choice in the ACT

28 Oct, 2022 | Advocacy, Equity and access, Media, Reproductive coercion, Safe access

As families prepare to gather for Christmas, there’s a hidden crisis intensifying behind closed doors: reproductive violence, where someone uses coercion, manipulation, pressure or control to dictate another person’s reproductive choices, is affecting thousands of women and pregnant people across our region.

1 in 3 women globally will experience reproductive coercion in their lifetime, including sabotage of contraception, forced pregnancy, prevention or pressure related to abortion care, and financial or emotional threats linked to reproductive decisions.^[1]

In Australia, around 1 in 5 women accessing abortion services report some form of coercion or control from a partner, and frontline counsellors say cases are becoming more complex, particularly during holiday periods when isolation and family pressure escalate.^[2]

“Reproductive violence remains largely invisible, but it is happening right now, in homes, relationships, and families across Australia and the world,” said Grishma Bista, CEO, MSI Asia Pacific.

“No one should face abuse, pressure, or control over their reproductive choices. Access to safe, confidential care is essential, especially at a time of year when family dynamics can amplify risk.”

Holiday season increases risk

The end of the year is a peak period for relationship stress, financial pressure, travel, family expectation and isolation from support networks, all factors that increase risk of reproductive violence and reduce access to help.

MSI Australia’s psychosocial team reports a surge in women disclosing lack of control, fear, or pressure from partners in the lead up to Christmas, particularly around continuing or ending a pregnancy.

“We regularly support clients who are frightened, confused, or unsure if what they are experiencing is abuse,” said Alison Fonseca, Psychosocial Health Manager at MSI Australia.

“Reproductive violence can look like sabotaging contraception, hiding medication, pressuring someone to continue or terminate a pregnancy, or threatening to withdraw financial support. It is gendered violence, and it has devastating consequences.”

Regional impact demands regional action

Across the world, reproductive coercion is deeply connected to gender inequality, stigma, economic dependence, and access to health services. In many countries, there are no legal safeguards, limited counselling services, and severe stigma around reproductive healthcare.

“At MSI, we see resilience every day, people finding the courage to seek help, make their own decisions, and protect their future,” Ms Bista said.

“But access to safe pathways must be funded, protected and strengthened.”

Campaign launching: Help us support safety, choice and care

This Christmas, MSI is launching a donation campaign to support people experiencing reproductive violence, here and overseas.

Funds raised will:

Provide emergency psychosocial support including counselling
Cover the cost of abortion or contraception care for people facing coercion
Support local services in countries where reproductive violence is rarely acknowledged

Every donation, large or small, helps someone make a decision free from control, fear and pressure.

“No one should be forced into or out of a pregnancy,” Ms Fonseca said.

“With community support, we can make sure reproductive choices belong to the person, not their partner, not their family, and not their circumstances.”

Key facts

1 in 5 Australian women seeking abortion report pressure or coercion related to pregnancy decisions
Only 12 out of 43 Asia Pacific countries have legislation enshrining the right to choose the number, timing, and spacing of children ^[3]
Reproductive violence is one of the least recognised forms of gender-based violence, despite being reported in clinical and counselling settings worldwide ^[4]
Family violence is consistently one of the high-recorded months for family violence incidents ^[5]

[1] World Health Organisation. (2021)

[2] MSI Australia. (2020). Hidden Forces: Shining a light on reproductive coercion white paper

[3] IPPF. (2023). Asia Pacific Contraception Policy Atlas.

[4] Tarzia & McKenzie. (2024). Reproductive coercion and abuse in intimate relationships: Women’s perceptions of perpetrator motivations

[5] Crime Statistics Agency. (2025). Family Incidents

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For more information contact Anna Jabour on 0403 322 992

MSI Australia appeared at the first and only public hearing into abortion and reproductive choice in the ACT today.

Since the inquiry opened, the ACT Government has announced that they will be the first jurisdiction to provide free abortion access to all women and pregnant people, including those on temporary visas.

Managing Director Jamal Hakim addressed the inquiry, and spoke about embedding abortion care in health systems.

“MSI Australia has operated in Australia for 21 years and in Canberra since 2014,” he said.

“It is critical for abortion care to be embedded in health systems. Additionally, long acting reversible contraception is an essential part of access to sexual and reproductive health and ensuring everyone is able to exercise bodily autonomy and make the choices that are right for them.

“Our three recommendations include providing universal access to sexual and reproductive health, developing a sexual and reproductive health strategy and taking action to prevent reproductive violence.

“I want to acknowledge the ACT government’s commitment to fund sexual and reproductive healthcare and their commitment to upgrading clinic infrastructure and extending our scope of care beyond 16 weeks.

“The ultimate goal is to end the abortion postcode lottery and ensure safe, free and unfettered access to sexual and reproductive health services.”

MSI Canberra Clinic Nurse Unit Manager Melissa Ryan addressed the inquiry said affordability was a significant barrier to access for clients.

“I am a proud Canberran, I have grown up in Canberra and I’m raising my family here,” she said.

“My role is to oversee the day-to-day operations of the clinic, managing a team of doctors, nurses and admin staff to provide high quality care to the Canberra community.

“As well as being a hands-on clinical role, as nurse unit manager I also manage the staffing, financial planning, and education and training for the clinic.

“Over my time leading this facility, I have been exposed to the areas of reproductive health that are lacking in the ACT.

“Affordability remains a significant barrier to access for many clients, particularly those without Medicare.

“And this is not just related to the in-clinic costs but also in-direct costs like parking, time off work, travel, and in some cases, accommodation.

“Physical access is also a challenge, clients who may have a disability or diverse body type cannot always be facilitated at our clinic due to the current infrastructure available.

“To us, greater accessibility means being able to provide care to all of the ACT’s diverse population and promote bodily autonomy and reproductive choices for the community.”

View the Inquiry details here and our submission here.

Donate to the Choice Fund to support people experiencing financial hardship or other barriers to healthcare here.

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For further information contact Anna Jabour on 0428 396 391.

MSI Australia is a national not for profit provider of sexual and reproductive health services including permanent and long-acting reversible contraception and abortion care. For more information on our clinic network visit msiaustralia.org.au.