Influence of the Relational Context on Reproductive Coercion and the Associated Consequences

Receipt of Coercive Condom Use Resistance: A Scoping Review

Condom use resistance (CUR) refers to practices used to obtain unprotected sex with a partner who wishes to use a condom. Coercive CUR is a manipulative and aggressive form of CUR, which is associated with detrimental mental, physical, and sexual health consequences. This review synthesizes quantitative evidence on the prevalence and correlates of experiencing coercive CUR. A systematic approach, including title, abstract, and full-text review, was used to identify relevant empirical studies. Thirty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria. Prevalence of experiencing coercive CUR ranged from 0.1% to 59.5%. Significant correlates of receiving coercive CUR included interpersonal violence, sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis, emotional stress, and drug use. Importantly, vulnerable populations (e.g., racial/ethnic minorities, men who have sex with men, sex workers) and people with low perceived control and resistive efficacy (i.e., the ability to say "no") had an increased likelihood of experiencing coercive CUR. Methodological weaknesses in the current literature include a lack of longitudinal studies and studies that examine the effectiveness of interventions, as well as failure to use consistent measures and include samples of men and sexual minorities. Future research should address these limitations. Intervention and prevention strategies should prioritize populations that are at greater risk for experiencing coercive CUR to achieve better health equity outcomes.

A Scoping Review of Nonconsensual Condom Removal ("Stealthing") Research

Nonconsensual condom removal (NCCR; also known as "stealthing") involves the removal of a condom before or during sexual intercourse without a partner's sexual consent. Within the past several years, nations across the globe have codified NCCR as a form of sexual violence penalized by civil and/or criminal penalties. Given the recent legal attention to this behavior, we performed a scoping review of the peer-reviewed, empirical, English-language studies conducted on NCCR in order to summarize the current state of this field of research. Our scoping review yielded 27 articles meeting study inclusion criteria. Data on NCCR victimization and perpetration prevalence rates and correlates, as well as perceptions of NCCR, were extracted. The majority of the reviewed studies were conducted within the past 5 years and pertained to NCCR victimization. Rates of NCCR victimization ranged from 7.9% to 43.0% for women and 5.0% to 19.0% for men who have sex with men; rates of NCCR perpetration ranged from 5.1% to 9.8% for men and 0% for women. NCCR correlates included sociodemographic variables, relationship type, psychological factors, and sexual health concerns. Perceptions of NCCR were largely negative. The nascent field of NCCR research provides empirical evidence from several countries regarding concerning rates of NCCR. Building upon this foundation, continued research regarding NCCR is imperative. Studies that further delineate NCCR prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes would provide critical information beneficial to the development of evidence-based prevention and intervention programs targeting reductions in NCCR.

Nonconsensual Condom-Use Deception: An Empirically Based Conceptualization of Stealthing

In recent years, the act of stealthing, also termed nonconsensual condom removal (NCCR), has become an emerging important topic related to nonconsensual sexual experiences. We performed a rapid review by searches in Web of Science (245 articles), Medline (157 articles), and PsycINFO (72 articles). The studies, in English, French, Italian, or Spanish, that reported empirical data on stealthing were included, except for those focusing on the legal response to the phenomenon. The final sample of 16 articles of various design is analyzed. According to this review, more than 10% of women experience stealthing in their lifetime, and men having sex with men also experience stealthing. The article describes the empirical research literature in the field, explores terminological and conceptual challenges, and proposes a new and more comprehensive term (nonconsensual condom-use deception), and a revised definition and categorization of the behavior, according to the concrete manifestation of consent breach, the associated practices, or the underlying motivation. We argue that research, as well as policy and practice responses to this growing problem need to be guided by a conceptual framework that uses information gathered directly from those who experienced it.

Contraceptive Sabotage and Contraceptive Use at the Time of Pregnancy: An Analysis of People with a Recent Live Birth in the United States

Contraceptive sabotage and other forms of intimate partner violence (IPV) can interfere with contraceptive use. We used 2012 to 2015 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data from 8,981 people residing in five states who reported that when they became pregnant, they were not trying to get pregnant. We assessed the relationships between ever experiencing contraceptive sabotage and physical IPV 12 months before pregnancy (both by the current partner) and contraceptive use at the time of pregnancy using multivariable logistic regression. We also assessed the joint associations between physical IPV 12 months before pregnancy and ever experienced contraceptive sabotage with contraceptive use at the time of pregnancy. Few people ever experienced contraceptive sabotage (1.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4, 2.3) or physical IPV 12 months before pregnancy (2.8%; 95% CI: 2.3, 3.3). In models adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, marital status, education, and state of residence, ever experiencing contraceptive sabotage was associated with contraceptive use at the time of pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.06, 2.82), but not with physical IPV 12 months before pregnancy (aOR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.46, 1.02). When examining the joint association, compared to not ever experiencing contraceptive sabotage or physical IPV 12 months before pregnancy, ever experiencing contraceptive sabotage was significantly related to contraceptive use at the time of pregnancy (aOR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.00, 2.95). However, it was not associated with experiencing physical IPV 12 months before pregnancy (aOR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.45, 1.04) or with experiencing both contraceptive sabotage and physical IPV 12 months before pregnancy (aOR: 1.21; 95% CI: 0.42, 3.50), compared to not ever experiencing contraceptive sabotage or physical IPV 12 months before pregnancy. Our study highlights that current partner contraceptive sabotage may motivate those not trying to get pregnant to use contraception; however, all people in our sample still experienced a pregnancy.

Canadian service providers' perspectives on reproductive coercion and abuse: a participatory action research to address their needs and support their actions

Reproductive coercion and abuse (RCA) is a form of violence that affects sexual and reproductive health. Women and individuals who experienced RCA in an intimate relationship frequently consult service providers (SPs), such as health professionals or violence counselors. The objective of this article, which is the result of a participative action research project targeting RCA perpetrated by in an intimate partner, is twofold: (1) to better understand the practices as well as the barriers and facilitators encountered by SPs and (2) to develop information and awareness tools with them that meet their needs. To this end, we first held focus groups with 31 SPs. The use of thematic analysis revealed intervention strategies that focus on caring and listening, identifying signs of RCA, and creating a safe environment for disclosure. Their practices also focused on harm-reduction strategies and effective referrals. Despite the importance they gave to this issue, lack of time, inappropriate settings, and inadequate training hindered them from intervening effectively with individuals who were victims of RCA. They also indicated the need for easy-to-follow practice guidelines and patient education tools. Based on these findings and the best practices identified in the grey and scientific literature, we developed a practice guide for SPs and a booklet on RCA. The development of these guide and booklets involved a lot of back and forth to meet the needs expressed by the community and health professionals.

Portrayal of Domestic Violence Trajectories During the Perinatal Period

Domestic violence during the perinatal period (DVPP) refers to the various ways that women’s partners or ex-partners control and coerce them during pregnancy and the 2 years postpartum. From the descriptions of 17 women with firsthand experience of DVPP, this article reports on its manifestations and the associated contexts. The results reveal escalating violence, diverse forms of violence, and exacerbated consequences over the perinatal period. The contexts that pose additional challenges for the women include financial precariousness and the partner’s substance abuse, and to a lesser extent the residential situation.