Reproductive coercion and abuse (RCA) is a serious form of gendered violence that undermines a person’s right to make free and informed decisions about their reproductive health. From sabotaging contraception to pressuring pregnancy decisions, RCA strips victim-survivors of autonomy and safety.
Earlier this year, with funding from the Victoria Law Foundation, we shared findings from our research into legal responses to RCA. That report highlighted the critical role community legal centres play in identifying and addressing RCA – and the gaps that remain in training, awareness, and systemic recognition.
Today, we’re taking the next step: a practical guide for community sector practitioners.
Why this guide matters
Community services (like social workers, legal practitioners, and healthcare workers) are often the first professionals to hear disclosures of RCA. These conversations can happen in the context of family violence intervention orders, parenting disputes, migration matters, or criminal proceedings. Recognising RCA early – and responding safely and effectively – can transform outcomes for victim-survivors.
Our new guide is designed to:
- Clarify what RCA looks like in practice, including behaviours that promote or prevent pregnancy.
- Outline legal intersections across family law, criminal law, migration, and health law.
- Embed trauma-informed principles to ensure safety, choice, and empowerment in every legal interaction.
- Provide practical tools, including indicators for RCA, sample questions for legal consults, and strategies for integrating RCA into legal submissions.
What’s inside
The guide covers:
- Understanding RCA and its relationship to coercive control and family violence.
- A trauma-informed lawyering approach to RCA.
- Indicators and risk factors to help practitioners recognise RCA.
- Practical steps for responding to disclosures, including flowcharts and example wording for affidavits.
- Referral pathways for health, housing, and specialist support services.
Why this is urgent
Reproductive coercion and abuse is a health, social and justice issue. It violates fundamental rights to bodily autonomy and freedom from violence. We know that community sector practitioners are often on the frontlines when it comes to identifying and responding to reproductive coercion and abuse. That’s why it’s critical that our responses are appropriate, proactive, trauma-informed, and backed by evidence. By equipping legal and community practitioners with the tools to identify and respond, we can help ensure the law is a tool for dignity, safety, and choice – not further harm.
Download the guide
Our guide, Reproductive Coercion and Abuse: A Practical Guide for Community Legal Practitioners, is now available online. It is designed for lawyers but will also be useful for social workers, advocates, and other professionals supporting clients who may be experiencing RCA.
Download the guide
Read the full research report
Help us spread the word about this crucial issue by sharing our guide with your colleagues in the sector. Together, we can build a more responsive, informed, and survivor-centred sector.
