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CLEAR LINKS BETWEEN VIOLENCE AND UNINTENDED PREGNACY 

25 November, 2005

Relationship violence is having an impact on many New Zealand women – especially when they are pregnant.

Research carried out by Family Planning doctor, Anna Whitehead, and international studies  have identified pregnancy – and in particular an unintended pregnancy - as a time when partner abuse is common.

Family Planning Executive Director, Dr Gill Greer, said there was international evidence that women in abusive relationships were at increased risk of an unintended pregnancy.  Those that had an unintended pregnancy were two and a half times more likely to experience physical abuse compared with those whose pregnancies were planned (source: Goodwin MM, Gazmararian JA, Johnson CH et al. Pregnancy intendedness and physical abuse around the time of pregnancy).

“The clear links between unintended pregnancy and violence underline the need for good access to sexual and reproductive health information and contraception.

“We must focus our attention on ensuring New Zealanders have a better understanding of their fertility and make sure they don’t become pregnant if they don’t want to be.

“This is one powerful tool in the fight against relationship violence that is particularly relevant today -  United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.”

Dr Anna Whitehead’s research further highlights the prevalence of family violence amongst women attending an abortion clinic in New Zealand. Sixty two of the 125 women invited to participate did so (response rate: 49.6 percent).  Just over half 50.8 percent reported lifetime prevalence to either physical or sexual abuse.  Of women reporting a lifetime of history of abuse 69 percent reported that her partner was the perpetrator or one of the perpetrators of the abuse.

Dr Greer said it was this and other international research that reinforced Family Planning’s routine screening for relationship violence at all clinic consultations. Family Planning has carried out this screening for the past three years and where violence is indicated in a relationship, the client is referred on to the appropriate help agency.

Family Planning has also launched a new resource this year to highlight with young people what relationship abuse is.  The resource is called  “This isn’t love….this is control” and it highlights where young people can get help if they are in an abusive relationship.

Family Planning also facilitated the New Zealand Parliamentarians’ Group on Population and Development ‘Open Hearing into the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Children’ earlier this year where NGOs and government agencies were invited to present submissions to parliamentarians around the issue of violence against women and children in new Zealand.  The subsequent report – Creating a Culture of Non-Violence covers the key messages contained in the submissions and is a “snapshot” of a moment in time as represented to the hearing by those involved.

This report was highlighted when Family Planning members and health sector stakeholders met in Christchurch today for Family Planning’s annual Forum and Annual General Meeting.  The Minister of Women’s Affairs, Hon Lianne Dalziel opened the forum.

Tiakina tōu Whakapapa
taking care of our present and future generations