Rape, Homicide, and Abortion Bans — The Abandonment of People Subjected to Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence

This Perspective explores how abortion bans enacted after the Dobbs decision have intensified the risks for people exposed to sexual and intimate partner violence (IPV). The authors present data showing increased rape related pregnancies and homicide rates especially among peripartum individuals in states with restrictive abortion laws. Many of these laws offer ineffective or inaccessible "rape exceptions" and fail to address firearm possession by convicted abusers. The article criticizes policymakers for perpetuating harm and calls for expanded Medicaid, better data collection, legal reforms, and trauma informed care to protect survivors and uphold reproductive autonomy.

This Perspective explores how abortion bans enacted after the Dobbs decision have intensified the risks for people exposed to sexual and intimate partner violence (IPV). The authors present data showing increased rape related pregnancies and homicide rates especially among peripartum individuals in states with restrictive abortion laws. Many of these laws offer ineffective or inaccessible "rape exceptions" and fail to address firearm possession by convicted abusers. The article criticizes policymakers for perpetuating harm and calls for expanded Medicaid, better data collection, legal reforms, and trauma informed care to protect survivors and uphold reproductive autonomy.