The hidden toll of abortion bans on vulnerable populations

(Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project) –The surge of abortion bans sweeping the United States has ignited fierce debates about the rights of pregnant people and bodily autonomy. However, one critical dimension often overlooked is the devastating impacts on survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence, as well as the alarming rise in suicide rates among young individuals. Moreover, these effects are not uniformly distributed since BIPOC communities bear a disproportionate burden.For survivors of IPV, the ability to access abortion is not merely a matter of choice but of survival. Domestic violence often involves reproductive coercion, where abusers manipulate contraception or force pregnancy to entrap their partners further. Access to abortion can be a crucial means for these individuals to regain control over their lives and break free from abusive relationships. Without the option to terminate unwanted pregnancies, survivors are often forced to remain tethered to their abusers, exacerbating their risk of continued violence and psychological trauma.Related Stories Studies have shown that women who experience IPV are more likely to have unintended pregnancies, and those who carry these pregnancies to term face increased risks of continued abuse. Abortion bans not only strip away a fundamental right but also effectively condemn many...