Mental Health Day 2017- you’re not alone

10 Oct, 2017 | Uncategorised

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

Ends

For more information contact Anna Jabour on 0403 322 992

Suzanne Hurley, a member of our counselling team, wants women to know this Mental Health Day that it is absolutely normal to feel a ‘‘minefield of emotions’’ when experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. For some women it is a straightforward decision to either continue with the pregnancy or terminate, but for other women, it can be an incredibly complex and stressful time in their life. At Marie Stopes, we understand this, which is why we provide free, decision-based counselling to any woman who seeks it.

According to Hurley “just because a woman is distressed doesn’t mean that it’s wrong.” There are numerous reasons why a woman may be confused, scared or distressed when facing an unplanned pregnancy. Our counsellors are trained in pregnancy support and are here to help women through what can often be a difficult time.

Some of the women our counsellors talk to are in abusive relationships and are afraid of telling their partner. Some women are experiencing forms of reproductive coercion, such as financial abuse or are being pressured into keeping or terminating the pregnancy, and feel isolated.

Cultural, religious and personal beliefs can all add to the stigma surrounding abortion. Some women face being ostracised or even cast out of their families and communities, whether they decide to terminate the pregnancy or not. This external stigma can lead to internal stigma, and women feeling like they are trapped and have no one they can turn to for help.

While this can be a very distressing time, we want to remind women that there is help available, that they do not have to struggle alone. One patient told us that “the counselling put my confusion into perspective, which at the time was really helpful” while another said that the counselling “made me feel like I wasn’t a terrible person for making the decision to terminate.”

This Mental Health Day, we want to let every woman facing an unplanned pregnancy know that she is not alone, that there is someone she can talk to, and that options are available. Hurley adds “we can’t decide for you but we can help you to clarify what is best for you.”

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with an unplanned pregnancy and would like to talk to an unbiased, decision-based counsellor, follow the link here.