Womens Choice in Contraception

can reveal Signs of Being a Victim

By Diane Escobedo

5-21-16

Contraceptive methods vary in forms; ranging from the pill to the

IUD. With many contraceptive methods out there more than half
must be taken by the female partner in the relationship.
But how do women choose which one to use? Based on the study
in Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, apparently it is not just
based on their convenience, but also on whether or not they are a
victim to sexual or physical assault. The study found four out of
the 10 female college students reported no victimization this
means 6 out of 10 women are victims of sexual assault or of
physical abuse.
They also discovered that women who reported physical and
sexual assault were less likely to use hormonal contraceptives
(25.5%) this includes methods such as the pill or the patch.
These female students were also more likely to use an IUD and
sterilization. But why?
Well many women in abusive relationships don't control their
reproductive system. These women have no say when it comes to
their body. The abusive figure tries to keep control over the

victims and the victims body. Victims cannot openly care for
themselves in such a way that isn't approved by the abusive
partner. This leads victims into using methods that are not as
obvious and well-hidden like an IUD.

Womens sexual health

is heavily
threatened in an
abusive relationship

And the study also shows that the same group of women were
also more likely to report not using any contraception at all. This
can be from lack of women's health resources or ability to come in
contact with these resources. It can also be a result of fear in the
relationship.
Based on these numbers women's sexual health especially
between the ages 18-29 is heavily threatened in an abusive
relationship. Since most of these women were college students
this implies that colleges are not meeting the standards to help
promote better health. Colleges need to make a greater effort to
promote and help improve reproductive health.
Overall these findings are disturbing, but there is still an
opportunity to decrease these numbers.
Colleges can help the situation by providing better resources for
their students. These resources should be motivating and
promote safety and counseling. Colleges need to create and offer
programs that motivate victims in asking for help to leave an

abusive partner. They need to show their students that there are
ways to leave an abusive relationship.

Instagram post from University of California Santa

Barbara Womens rights organization attempts to
promote help and support to women in relation to assault
and reproductive health

Many college students go to their college health clinic for

contraceptives. To promote better health, clinics on campus
should offer counseling and be more prone to asking questions
about their patients sexual health. Clinics should also look for
signs of abuse, when giving advice on which method to use,
especially if their patient is asking for methods that are well
hidden.