MSI Australia acknowledges National Sorry Day and calls for action

26 May, 2022 | Advocacy, Media, Reproductive coercion

As families prepare to gather for Christmas, there’s a hidden crisis intensifying behind closed doors: reproductive violence, where someone uses coercion, manipulation, pressure or control to dictate another person’s reproductive choices, is affecting thousands of women and pregnant people across our region.

1 in 3 women globally will experience reproductive coercion in their lifetime, including sabotage of contraception, forced pregnancy, prevention or pressure related to abortion care, and financial or emotional threats linked to reproductive decisions.^[1]

In Australia, around 1 in 5 women accessing abortion services report some form of coercion or control from a partner, and frontline counsellors say cases are becoming more complex, particularly during holiday periods when isolation and family pressure escalate.^[2]

“Reproductive violence remains largely invisible, but it is happening right now, in homes, relationships, and families across Australia and the world,” said Grishma Bista, CEO, MSI Asia Pacific.

“No one should face abuse, pressure, or control over their reproductive choices. Access to safe, confidential care is essential, especially at a time of year when family dynamics can amplify risk.”

Holiday season increases risk

The end of the year is a peak period for relationship stress, financial pressure, travel, family expectation and isolation from support networks, all factors that increase risk of reproductive violence and reduce access to help.

MSI Australia’s psychosocial team reports a surge in women disclosing lack of control, fear, or pressure from partners in the lead up to Christmas, particularly around continuing or ending a pregnancy.

“We regularly support clients who are frightened, confused, or unsure if what they are experiencing is abuse,” said Alison Fonseca, Psychosocial Health Manager at MSI Australia.

“Reproductive violence can look like sabotaging contraception, hiding medication, pressuring someone to continue or terminate a pregnancy, or threatening to withdraw financial support. It is gendered violence, and it has devastating consequences.”

Regional impact demands regional action

Across the world, reproductive coercion is deeply connected to gender inequality, stigma, economic dependence, and access to health services. In many countries, there are no legal safeguards, limited counselling services, and severe stigma around reproductive healthcare.

“At MSI, we see resilience every day, people finding the courage to seek help, make their own decisions, and protect their future,” Ms Bista said.

“But access to safe pathways must be funded, protected and strengthened.”

Campaign launching: Help us support safety, choice and care

This Christmas, MSI is launching a donation campaign to support people experiencing reproductive violence, here and overseas.

Funds raised will:

Provide emergency psychosocial support including counselling
Cover the cost of abortion or contraception care for people facing coercion
Support local services in countries where reproductive violence is rarely acknowledged

Every donation, large or small, helps someone make a decision free from control, fear and pressure.

“No one should be forced into or out of a pregnancy,” Ms Fonseca said.

“With community support, we can make sure reproductive choices belong to the person, not their partner, not their family, and not their circumstances.”

Key facts

1 in 5 Australian women seeking abortion report pressure or coercion related to pregnancy decisions
Only 12 out of 43 Asia Pacific countries have legislation enshrining the right to choose the number, timing, and spacing of children ^[3]
Reproductive violence is one of the least recognised forms of gender-based violence, despite being reported in clinical and counselling settings worldwide ^[4]
Family violence is consistently one of the high-recorded months for family violence incidents ^[5]

[1] World Health Organisation. (2021)

[2] MSI Australia. (2020). Hidden Forces: Shining a light on reproductive coercion white paper

[3] IPPF. (2023). Asia Pacific Contraception Policy Atlas.

[4] Tarzia & McKenzie. (2024). Reproductive coercion and abuse in intimate relationships: Women’s perceptions of perpetrator motivations

[5] Crime Statistics Agency. (2025). Family Incidents

Ends

For more information contact Anna Jabour on 0403 322 992

26 May 2022: MSI Australia has today acknowledged National Sorry Day, and called for the recommendations of the Bringing Them Home Report to be implemented.

Today marks 25 years since the Bringing Them Home Report was handed down and tabled in the Australian Parliament.

MSI Australia Managing Director Jamal Hakim said the report was a stark reminder of Australia’s history.

“Today we acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who were forcibly removed from their families, land and cultures,” he said.

“It is an important day to reflect on Australia’s true history and the laws sanctioned by previous Australian governments.

“The Bringing Them Home report laid bare the experiences of Stolen Generations – stories that were consistently denied and ignored.

“There is still a long way to go to heal the nation, with multiple reports and inquiries over the last 25 years resulting in very little tangible action.

“The recommendations from the Bringing Them Home report have still not been implemented and we join the call to the government to make them a priority.

“The Stolen Generations were taken from their families, with some facing reproductive coercion and sexual violence.

“The families of the stolen generations are still experiencing issues related to the trauma they experienced today.

“The Albanese Government has made Indigenous affairs reform a priority and we support his full commitment to the Uluru Statement of the Heart and referendum for a First Nations Voice to Parliament.

“As we acknowledge Sorry Day and move into Reconciliation Week further action needs to happen, including the implementation of recommendations from the Bringing Them Home report.”

MSI Australia is committed to reconciliation and has completed a Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan and is working toward an Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan.

You can read the Bringing Them Home report here.

– Ends –

For further information contact Anna Jabour, MSI Australia, 0428 396 391.

MSI Australia is a national not for profit provider of sexual and reproductive health services including permanent and long-acting reversible contraception and abortion care. For more information on our clinic network visit mariestopes.org.au.