Birth control sabotage and forced sex: experiences reported by women in domestic violence shelters
Thiel de Bocanegra, H.; Rostovtseva, D.P.; Khera, S.; Godhwani, N.
Violence Against Women 16(5): 601-612
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 1077-8012 PMID: 20388933 DOI: 10.1177/1077801210366965Document Number: 213192
Women who experience intimate partner violence often experience birth control sabotage, forced sex, and partner's unwillingness to use condoms. We interviewed 53 women at four domestic violence shelters. Participants reported that their abusive partners frequently refused to use condoms, impeded them from accessing health care, and subjected them to birth control sabotage, infidelity, and forced sex. However, women also reported strategies to counteract these actions, particularly against birth control sabotage and attempts to force them to abort or continue a pregnancy. Domestic violence counselors can focus on these successful strategies to validate coping skills and build self-esteem.