Senate inquiry report into reproductive healthcare requires prompt implementation

26 May, 2023 | 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

Ends

For more information contact Anna Jabour on 0403 322 992

MSI Australia, the only national non-profit provider of abortion, contraception and vasectomy care, has welcomed the landmark Senate inquiry report on universal access to reproductive healthcare and called for the bipartisan recommendations to be implemented as an urgent priority for Government.

Greg Johnson, Managing Director of MSI Australia, said the report underscores the vital importance of adequately funding for abortion care and reproductive health care at a national level.

“We acknowledge the substantial effort that has gone into this inquiry and the progress it represents,” he said.

“The report has captured the serious concerns of people and communities across Australia and offers clear recommendations that can be implemented to address urgent issues with abortion care and reproductive health services throughout Australia.

“It’s reassuring to see that this report also considers men’s health issues in sexual and reproductive healthcare and the need to increase contraceptive options for all.

“Many of the recommendations align with the proposals and concerns raised by our experienced clinicians and other experts during the course of the inquiry.

“We look forward to the Australia Government taking action to implement the recommendations as soon as possible.”

Bonney Corbin, Head of Policy and Research at MSI Australia, said the report highlighted the need for a national approach to resolving abortion access issues.

“Abortion is now recognised as healthcare but the recommendations of this report do not address the urgency of abortion access issues.” she said.

“Every day without action means women and pregnant people face unnecessary financial stress and stigma.

“It’s reassuring to see a bipartisan report which affirms abortion as healthcare. To know the recommendations of this report can be implemented beyond one political term is critical for longevity.

“The report recommendations focus is largely on health system responses which is welcome reframing from previous decades when abortion used to be seen as a social rather than a healthcare issue.

“While many of the solutions for about sexual and reproductive rights are within health systems, sometimes it’s beyond that. It is also about overcoming barriers in our communities around stigma, and it is about preventing reproductive violence in homes, in workplaces, and in care facilities.

“The focus of recommendations on outcomes for primary care is indicative of us trying to embed abortion as healthcare in the health system, but it is not indicative of what it’s like to actually get an abortion in Australia.

“Health reforms alone will never address all of the abortion related inequities we experience across the different personal and political aspects of our lives.

“The recommendations are all within scope of the current government and are achievable within the next seven years.”

The Australian Abortion Access Scorecard can be viewed here. View a summary of State and Territory abortion laws here.

Women and pregnant people can book a teleabortion here.

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

– Ends –

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