MSI Australia celebrates historic abortion law reforms coming into effect in Western Australia

27 Mar, 2024 | Advocacy, Media

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

Today, MSI Australia, the leading non-profit specialised provider of abortion and contraception care, celebrates a milestone in Western Australia as the historic abortion law reforms officially take effect.

These reforms, which have been eagerly anticipated, include the decriminalisation of patient access to abortion, extension of the gestational limit for procedures from 20 to 23 weeks, the change of pregnancy options counselling from mandatory to optional, the removal of the need for multiple GP referrals, and the elimination of the panel review process for abortions after 20 weeks’ gestation.

Greg Johnson, Managing Director of MSI Australia, said the reforms would make it easier for women and pregnant people in Western Australia to access timely abortion care.

“Today, we celebrate not just a legislative victory but a real move towards abortion equity in Western Australia,” Mr Johnson said.

“These reforms are a testament to the collective effort of the community, lawmakers, and advocates who believe in the importance of reproductive choice and timely access to care.

“Western Australians can now access abortion care without having to go through multiple GPs or an archaic and difficult panel review process.

“The changes better recognise and respect the bodily autonomy of women and pregnant people.”

Acting Nurse Unit Manager at MSI Perth, Lana Hogan, shared her insights on the practical impact of these reforms.

“The implementation of these laws will reduce the stress and uncertainty many women and pregnant people face when trying to access timely abortion care,” Ms Hogan said.

“As an abortion care provider, the ability to offer essential healthcare services without the constraints of outdated laws is wonderful.

“Our focus can now be on providing compassionate and timely abortion care, ensuring that women and pregnant people have the support and respect they deserve.“

“While we appreciate public funding which supports abortion access for women and pregnant people in select areas of the Perth region, people outside of Perth who experience financial hardship in regional and remote areas, still need financial support to access abortion care.“

Women and pregnant people in Midland seeking publicly funded abortion care will continue to require a referral to access MSI Australia’s services.

However, private patients no longer need a referral, meaning they can book and access abortion care directly with us without needing to consult with another medical professional first. Additionally, we are currently in discussions with the government to remove the referral requirement for funded services at MSI Perth, among other changes.

MSI Australia has provided abortion and contraception care in Western Australia for over 20 years and has a local team of dedicated and specialised doctors, nurses and staff.

Donate to the Choice Fund to support people experiencing financial hardship or other barriers to abortion and contraception care here.

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For further information contact Anna Jabour on 0428 396 391.

MSI Australia is the only 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