Your guide to a no-regrets schoolies

8 Nov, 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

If we’re talking rites of passage, schoolies is pretty hard to beat. Sun, sand and surf surrounded by your best mates, beats and beautiful strangers; what could go wrong? Well, ideally nothing. If you remember to follow the No-Regrets Schoolies Guide you’re guaranteed to turn your good times into great memories.

Yeah, yeah, we’re talking about the serious stuff. But before you tune out completely it’s worth pointing out that 60 seconds thinking about this could save you years of face-palming thanks to a potentially glorious but fleeting 15 second encounter.

So here they are, the three things you need to know, delivered to you in under 60 seconds. Yeah, it’s totally like the movie Gone in 60 Seconds…watch it…

In case you missed it, here are the three C’s and, no, we’re not being rude:

Consent – If someone is too drunk, drugged, or otherwise distracted to let you know how psyched they are to be with you, then they’re not consenting. So make sure you’re only hooking up with people who are super into you; this way you know they’re consenting because they’re actively telling you they are! You’re going to have a WAY better time if you’re with someone who really wants to be with you, rather than with someone who seems out of it, disinterested, or just lays there like a starfish.

Contraception – It can be hard to remember to take the pill when you’re in a tropical paradise. If you’re worried about remembering to take the pill, maybe consider getting a contraceptive injection. It’s basically the same thing, but it lasts for 12 weeks and you don’t have to take any tablets! This way you’re not going to wake up in the middle of the week in a cold sweat realising you’ve missed the last three days and will soon have a surprise period!

Caution – Remember that condoms are the ONLY thing between you and an STI. They’re literally your last line of defence. And even if everything down there looks great, the majority of STIs can be asymptomatic. That means you won’t be able to see anything suss on a person who’s infected. An STI is the gift that keeps on giving long after schoolies is over; some of them can last a lifetime with long periods where sex is painful or impossible. Probs not worth the risk, right? So put a condom on and you don’t have to spend the rest of the week worrying about whether that weird itch is an STI or it’s just your pubes caught in your bathers again.

Lastly, avoid drinks that haven’t been opened or poured in front of you; this way you can avoid having your drink spiked or puking when someone tries to slip you a shot of something revolting that was probably home brewed in an old sock.

Remember these three things and your schoolies experience will be nothing but good times and great memories; no regrets!

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Your guide to a no-regrets schoolies

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