Victorian investment promises increased sexual and reproductive health access

21 May, 2021 | Advocacy, Equity and access, 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

Victorian investment promises increased sexual and reproductive health access

The Victorian State Budget delivers timely investment in healthcare with a lens on diversity. Funding towards gender-responsive budgeting measures is a welcome addition, with the potential to increase sexual and reproductive health access, equity and agency. The $3.8 billion investment in mental health is applauded, an essential investment in the pandemic context.

MSI Australia welcomes investment in 12 women’s health services, $4.1 million to establish three new women’s reproductive health hubs and funds allocated to the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health. These moves will increase access to sexual and reproductive health, and will support our ongoing work to catch-up on deferred sexual and reproductive healthcare from last year. Further investment is required in order to maintain sexual and reproductive health rights for all people in Victoria, including people on temporary visas.

At MSI Australia clinics in Victoria, equitable access to abortion relies upon regular Choice Fund donations. Every dollar donated to the Choice Fund goes towards healthcare for pregnant people experiencing hardship who cannot otherwise afford their choice of abortion care. In the pandemic the number of regular donors, philanthropists and the size of their donations have dramatically reduced meaning that it its becoming increasingly difficult for Maries Stopes Australia to guarantee subsidised access to this essential service and remain financially viable.

Last year medial abortion access was temporarily increased with Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers for telehealth care. From April to September 2020, Victorian uptake for medical abortion via telehealth at MSI Australia increased by 126%. Despite calls from healthcare professionals to make these MBS item numbers permanent, at this stage they are only available until the end of 2021.

Further clarity is required as to understand how the Victorian Government will invest in equitable access to contraception and abortion care, including a renewed sexual and reproductive health plan. We look forward to meeting with the Minister for Health, Martin Foley MP to discuss how Victoria will increase sexual and reproductive health access and equity for all.

Quotes from Jamal Hakim, Managing Director

“Abortion access in Victoria is a postcode lottery. State leadership is required to ensure equitable abortion access across all metropolitan, regional and rural areas.”

“It is not financially sustainable for non-profit health providers to continue covering state government shortfalls in healthcare access, including contraceptive and abortion care for people on temporary visas.”

“Patients experiencing financial hardship rely upon regular donations to the Choice Fund. In the pandemic there have been far less donors and philanthropists willing to donate towards sexual and reproductive healthcare.”

“Temporary MBS item numbers have increased access to medical abortion in Victoria. State investment needs to complement Federal telehealth reforms to enable long term abortion access.”

“Victorian Government investment in mental healthcare is applauded. Mental health is an important part of sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing.”

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For further information or to interview Jamal Hakim contact, MSI Australia, 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 mariestopes.org.au.