Women who seek abortions much more likely to be victims of domestic abuse

The investigation compared levels of violence affecting 274 women requesting terminations in Hull and the East Riding, with those among 219 pregnant women in antenatal clinics.

Among women attending clinics for terminations, 5.8 per cent were victims of physical abuse in their current relationship, whereas 0.9 per cent of women attending 
antenatal clinics faced violence.

There were also higher levels of emotional abuse than among women in antenatal clinics, with rates of 9.9 per cent compared to 1.8 per cent.

The most common reasons for requesting a termination were financial worries and contraceptive failure.

Study authors conclude that even though domestic violence was not given as a frequent reason for requesting a termination, women were at a higher risk and this may be related to other life issues.

Tonye Telema Wokoma, registrar in sexual and reproductive health at City Health Care Partnership in Hull, who co-authored the study, said: “Domestic violence remains a complex public health issue that may start or escalate with pregnancy and can cause many obstetric complications and psychological effects which ultimately may lead to loss of foetal or maternal life. Whether the pregnancy continues or ends, these women and their existing children live at risk.”

Pierre Martin Hirsch, deputy editor-in-chief of BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, which published the study today, added: “Domestic violence can be extremely damaging to a woman’s mental, emotional and physical health and in some cases has been linked to postnatal depression.

“More research in this area is needed to determine effective screening methods and interventions to help women suffering from any form of abuse. It is only when this has been done, that sufficient measures can be initiated to address this growing problem that can pose a significant health risk to mother and baby.”

Almost half of adult women in England and Wales are believed to have experienced psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional abuse. It constitutes up to one third of violent crimes, costing the UK £23bn.