Abortion Bans Increase Intimate Partner Violence.
A new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research has uncovered a troubling link: counties with near-total abortion bans have experienced a 7–10% increase in intimate partner violence (IPV) since 2017 (time.com). Here’s what the research reveals — and why it matters.
Abortion Bans Increase Intimate Partner Violence: How the Abuse is Fueled
The study estimates that 9,000 additional IPV incidents occurred in 2023 alone in counties where abortion became harder to access—an estimated $1.24 billion social cost (time.com). Here’s how bans drive this surge:
- Forced dependency. Bans often force someone to remain in an unwanted pregnancy or relationship due to the inability to leave.
- Financial stress. Delayed or denied abortions mean time off work, travel costs, and other economic strains that increase domestic tension.
- Reproductive coercion. As noted by research and experts, some abusive partners exploit abortion restrictions as a form of power and control (time.com).
Abortion Bans Link to Intimate Partner Violence: Backed by the Turnaway Study
Arkansas data from the Turnaway Study shows that women denied abortions faced more abuse and suicidal thoughts than those who obtained them (time.com). The patterns are clear: limited reproductive autonomy can trap survivors in more dangerous situations.
Why This Matters for Advocacy
- Healthcare and legal support must work together. Survivors need access to abortion care and safe exits from violence. Cutting reproductive rights cuts lifelines.
- Policies must recognize intersecting trauma. Economic aid, housing support, and legal protections are vital for survivors facing compounding crises.
- We must speak up. This issue needs public attention, not just as abortion rights, but as an essential part of survivor advocacy.
What Advocates and Policymakers Can Do
- Restore abortion access through policy and legal action—this research shows lives are on the line.
- Expand IPV support services, especially in areas hit hardest by bans.
- Fund economic independence programs—from emergency housing to job training—to help survivors exit abusive relationships.
Abortion Bans Increase Intimate Partner Violence: In Summary
Abortion bans are far more than a matter of reproductive rights. They reinforce cycles of abuse, worsened by financial hardship and reproductive coercion (time.com).
For survivors, losing abortion access is not just traumatic—it can also be deadly.
Want to dive deeper?
- Read the full Time article: “Abortion Bans Worsen Violence in Relationships, Study Finds” (time.com)
- Learn more about reproductive coercion from ACOG and Futures Without Violence (en.wikipedia.org)
Join the conversation
Have you seen these patterns in your community? Share your thoughts below or reach out to local advocates—this story needs to be told.
ACOL stands with survivors. We believe bodily autonomy and access to comprehensive care are essential to ending violence.
