Poster #31

Women’s Experiences of Reproductive Coercion: Preliminary Results on Transcultural Representations

By: Carole Boulebsol

Abstract:

Reproductive coercion (RC) refers to the strategies of control, intimidation or violence used by a third party (intimate partner or family member) to influence a woman's contraceptive and reproductive choices (Grace et Fleming, 2016; Lévesque & Rousseau, 2016; Grace & Anderson, 2018). Data from the United States shows that between 8% and 27% of women have experienced RC. Furthermore, racialized women report high rates of victimization, and research often does not delve into their experiences as compared to the majority (Grace et Anderson, 2018). To address this research gap, I am conducting a doctoral research project with 3 main goals: 1) document the socio-cultural representations that influence victims’ perceptions and reactions of RC; 2) understand how racialization and immigration modulate the experience of RC and accessibility to support; and 3) report on how family networks influence their trajectories. This conference provides a preliminary comparative and transcultural analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted with white and racialized women (Canadian-born), and immigrant women (non-Canadian-born), who had experienced RC. Based on these results, recommendations will be proposed to promote the adaptation of services to the reality of victims by taking into consideration their diversity, their representations and their experiences in a transcultural perspective.