A landmark US study has uncovered a disturbing consequence of the country’s abortion bans: a 7–10 per cent surge in intimate partner violence (IPV) in states that imposed near-total restrictions following the 2022 Dobbs decision.
The research, titled Abortion Restrictions and Intimate Partner Violence in the Dobbs Era, shows that when reproductive rights are removed, women’s safety is put at greater risk.
In the US, this equates to roughly 9,000 additional IPV incidents in 2023 alone, resulting in over $1.2 billion in social costs.
The Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organisation ruling overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that had guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion across the United States. By removing federal protections, Dobbs allowed individual states to ban or severely restrict abortion.
Illawarra Women’s Health Centre Executive Director Sally Stevenson highlights the relevance for women in the Illawarra.
“This research is deeply important because it shows when you restrict reproductive choice, you increase women’s vulnerability to violence,” she said.
“The US data is a stark warning. In New South Wales, we’ve made progress with recent reforms to expand access to abortion, but we cannot be complacent. Access is still patchy, particularly in regional areas like ours, and barriers remain, especially for women experiencing domestic and family abuse.”
The study identifies several pathways through which abortion restrictions increase the risk of intimate partner violence: forcing women to continue unwanted pregnancies can create financial strain, limit their ability to leave abusive relationships, and prolong exposure to unsafe partners.
The effects were most pronounced in counties with lower income and education levels, particularly in urban areas.
Earlier this year, new NSW legislation was introduced allowing nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives to prescribe the termination medication MS-2 Step up to nine weeks of gestation.
It means our Centre can now legally provide medical abortion, bridging a crucial service gap for the region, but this is only possible with funding.
“The new NSW legislation allows us to legally provide medical abortion for the first time, a long-overdue change that addresses a critical gap in reproductive health care for our region. But the reality is, we can’t implement this without funding,” Ms Stevenson said.
“Access to abortion must be more than a legal right; it must be a resourced, practical service that women can actually reach when they need it most.”
The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre’s Nurse Practitioner can support women’s sexual and reproductive health needs in a trauma-informed and non-judgmental environment.
Contact us on 4255 6800 to find out more.