More than 40 per cent of pregnant people seeking help from a counselling service have been exposed to violence, and barriers to abortion have led women to self-harm, a new study finds.
- The University of Queensland study has found there are still many barriers to terminating a pregnancy
- Researchers analysed almost 2,000 de-identified client records collected by Children by Choice
- Of those, 859 had been exposed to partner or family violence, including reproductive coercion and abuse
Dr Dean said the clients spoke of isolation and a lack of personal and healthcare support.
They commonly reported having seen unsupportive healthcare practitioners who gave incorrect or misleading advice about abortions or refused to refer them.
Source: Abortion barriers lead women to self-harm, study finds – ABC News