MSI Australia publishes report on abortion access in the ACT

26 Aug, 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 has released a report in relation to abortion access in the ACT, as part of an inquiry on abortion and contraceptive access.

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.

The report illustrates how many migrant and refugee people access abortion care in the ACT. Of people who access surgical or medical abortion at the MSI Canberra Clinic:

One in three (31%) people are born outside of Australia.
Just over one in ten (13%) people do not have access to Medicare.
One in twenty (5%) people prefer a language other than English.
One in fifty (2%) people had an interpreter present for their abortion related consultations, including Auslan.

It is particularly hard to find interpreters in Canberra for abortion and contraceptive care, and near impossible for any minority or emerging language groups.

Managing Director Jamal Hakim welcomes ACT Government inquiry and moves towards universal access.

“The ACT Government’s commitment to universal access is a game changer for reproductive rights,” he said.

“Reproductive rights are about healthcare access for all, not for some.

“Universal abortion access means the Government subsidises the cost of abortion, for anyone in the ACT, regardless of their postcode.

“For migrant and refugee communities, barriers to sexual and reproductive health are exceptionally complex.

“Not only will the ACT Government provide free access to abortion and contraception for all, they will be exploring all of the complex access barriers at play.

MSI Canberra Clinic Nurse Unit Manager Melissa Ryan said it was fantastic that the government is exploring barriers to abortion in the ACT

“We are long overdue for an inquiry like this” she said.

“Free abortion care in the ACT has been a long time coming.

“Cost can be a huge barrier so to see the ACT Government leading the way on these issues, particularly for those on temporary visas is heartening.

“There are so many people in the ACT on temporary visas, it is promising that the Government is not only recognising these people but also investing in their health and wellbeing.

“The government has flagged funding won’t begin until mid-2023. That is 12 months away and women and pregnant people have been waiting too long already for low cost access.

“We’d like to see free access this year.”

The ACT Government inquiry can be viewed here and media release can be viewed 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.