[Sexual coercion and abortion: a context of vulnerability among young women]

Cad Saude Publica. 2011 Mar;27(3):427-39. doi: 10.1590/s0102-311x2011000300004.
[Article in Portuguese]

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the relationship between abortion and experiences of sexual coercion. The data came from GRAVAD, a household survey with a stratified random sample of young women (18-24 years) in Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, and Salvador, Brazil. The sample used in this article included 870 interviews of women who reported having become pregnant. Abortion was associated with: a reported experience of sexual coercion, more schooling, failure to obtain first information about sex from parents, and a history of more pregnancies and sexual partners. The association between abortion and sexual coercion reflects a situation of gender vulnerability and reveals young women's precariousness in sex negotiation and reproduction. A veil of silence in public agencies concerning sexual coercion helps perpetuate young women's vulnerability, as it blocks access to the appropriate educational, legal, and health services.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Induced / psychology
  • Abortion, Induced / statistics & numerical data*
  • Adolescent
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Rate
  • Prevalence
  • Sex Offenses / psychology*
  • Sex Offenses / statistics & numerical data*
  • Vulnerable Populations / statistics & numerical data*
  • Young Adult