When Choice Is Taken Away
From pregnancy pressure and contraception sabotage to forced or coerced abortions, reproductive coercion is a form of abuse that still isn’t widely recognised
Reproductive coercion is a form of abuse that seeks to control another person’s reproductive choices and bodily autonomy. It can include contraception sabotage, pressure to become pregnant, coercion into continuing or ending a pregnancy, controlling access to healthcare, or using manipulation and deception to influence life-changing decisions.
Like many forms of coercive control, it often happens behind closed doors. Many people don’t realise they’re experiencing reproductive coercion until much later, while professionals may not always recognise the signs.
Thankfully, conversations are beginning to change. Earlier this year, we shared Liv Nervo’s powerful story, which explored how deception, consent and reproductive coercion can intersect. Alongside survivors, campaigners and advocates, stories like Liv’s are helping more people recognise experiences that have too often remained hidden, misunderstood or difficult to put into words.
Building on these conversations is My Choice Was Taken, a survivor-led campaign raising awareness of reproductive coercion and calling for it to be recognised as a standalone criminal offence in England and Wales. By amplifying lived experience, sharing information and encouraging public action, the campaign is helping more people recognise this often-overlooked form of abuse and highlighting why everyone deserves the right to make informed decisions about their own body, free from manipulation, pressure or control.
Greater awareness matters. When people have the language to understand what’s happening, they’re better equipped to seek support. When professionals recognise reproductive coercion, opportunities to intervene are less likely to be missed.
If you’d like to support the campaign, consider signing the parliamentary petition and following @mychoicewastaken on Instagram - links in the click boxes below. Every conversation, share and signature helps bring greater visibility to an issue that deserves far greater recognition.
A note from M.Y.H
At Make Yourself Heard, we believe everyone deserves the freedom to make decisions about their own body without fear, pressure or control. Recognising reproductive coercion is an important step towards ensuring those affected are seen, supported and believed. By sharing stories, amplifying campaigns and creating space for these conversations, we can help shine a light on forms of abuse that have remained hidden for far too long.
