In my years of medical practice providing obstetric care to mothers and their unborn children, I’ve witnessed many heartbreaking stories that don’t make headlines. I’ve met women who felt cornered, silenced, and pressured into decisions they never truly wanted. One of the most tragic and often overlooked connections in our culture is the link between abortion and domestic violence. But if we’re serious about supporting all human life, it’s a reality we cannot afford to ignore.
Abortion as a Tool of Control
Abortion is often portrayed as a choice made in freedom. But when you speak to women who have walked that path, many tell a story that sounds like anything but freedom. Studies published in BMC Medicine and other peer-reviewed journals reveal that women experiencing domestic violence are significantly more likely to have abortions. For some, it’s the only option they feel they’re allowed. Others are forced outright.
The Charlotte Lozier Institute found that nearly 70% of women felt pressured into abortion. That pressure can come in many forms: emotional manipulation, financial threats, physical intimidation, or being isolated from family and friends. In many abusive relationships, the pregnancy is not the problem—the abuser is.
Abusers use abortion as a form of control. In some cases, men even obtain abortion pills and administer them without the woman’s knowledge or consent. Sex trafficked women are often forced to take the abortion pill. The trauma of abortion is compounded when a woman realizes the decision wasn’t truly hers to begin with. This is not empowerment. This is abuse hiding in plain sight.
A woman under duress is not making a free choice. And the fallout isn’t just physical. Emotional trauma, regret, and isolation often follow, all of which an abused woman has to navigate alone. Abortion, especially in the context of domestic violence, rarely solves the problem. Many times, it only deepens the wound.
Recognizing the Signs of Abuse
Domestic abuse is not always obvious. It often begins subtly, with emotional manipulation, isolation, or controlling behavior. Look up “coercive control” for a clearer picture of what this kind of abuse looks like. Over time, it may escalate to threats or violence. If someone you know is unusually withdrawn, has unexplained injuries, seems overly anxious around their partner, or is suddenly isolated from friends and family, these could be signs of abuse.
Pay attention to what isn’t said. Does she seem afraid to talk openly when her partner is around? Does she express that she has “no choice” in a decision as personal as pregnancy? These are red flags that something deeper may be happening.
How to Support a Friend in an Abusive Situation
If you suspect a friend or loved one is in an abusive relationship, don’t stay silent. Approach her gently, without judgment. Tell her you’re concerned and that you care. Let her know she’s not alone and that help is available.
Listen more than you speak. Offer to help her find resources, such as local domestic violence shelters, counseling services, or legal aid. Help her create a safety plan if she’s in immediate danger. Encourage her to speak with a medical professional or a counselor trained in trauma. On our website, we also provide connections to life-affirming medical care, including abortion pill reversal, for women who want to stop a chemical abortion and save their baby.
Choosing life in the context of abuse is incredibly courageous. These women need more than just encouragement. They need real support, real resources, and real safety.
Life Is Worth Defending, and So Are the Women Who Carry It
As pro-life advocates, our mission goes beyond protecting babies. We are called to protect their mothers, too. When we speak about life, we must also speak about justice, dignity, and safety. Abortion is never the solution to abuse. Empowerment doesn’t come from ending a life; it comes from giving women the tools to reclaim their own.
If you or someone you know is facing a crisis pregnancy in an abusive situation, there is hope. There are people who care. And there is a better path forward, one that protects both mother and child.
Join the Movement for Life and Love
Let’s shine light into the darkness and be a voice for the voiceless. Visit the ProLife Doc website today to contact us, explore our curriculum, access resources, and learn how you can help support women in crisis and stand up for life at every stage. Whether you’re a healthcare provider, church leader, educator, or simply someone who cares, you have a role to play. A patient is a person, no matter how small—and so is their mother.
