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. 2025 May;31(6-7):1557-1579.
doi: 10.1177/10778012241236671. Epub 2024 Mar 5.

"I Need Help With the Abortion, so I Won't Have to Ever See or Hear From Him Again": Relationship Barriers Faced by Abortion Fund Applicants in the Rocky Mountain West

Jessica L Liddell  1 , Alex Buscaglia  2 , Celina M Doria  3 , Alison Weekley  4 , Laila Mascarena  5
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"I Need Help With the Abortion, so I Won't Have to Ever See or Hear From Him Again": Relationship Barriers Faced by Abortion Fund Applicants in the Rocky Mountain West

Jessica L Liddell et al. Violence Against Women. 2025 May.

Abstract

To explore the factors impacting abortion access for abortion fund clients, data from 816 applicants was analyzed using a summative content analysis approach. Nine relationship themes emerged for applicants who cited their partner as a significant factor in their abortion decision-making, including (a) power and control, (b) fear and safety concerns, (c) leaving the relationship, (d) barriers to accessing care, (e) sexual violence, (f) perpetration and victimization, (g) having an unsupportive partner, (h) being partnerless, and (i) having a supportive partner. Abortion funds are a potential resource for those experiencing intimate partner violence and can support survivors through confidential care and referrals.

Keywords: IPV; abortion; abortion funds; interpersonal violence; reproductive justice.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Relationship themes.
Note. Graphic representation of major relationship themes of abortion fund applications.
Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Relationship themes.
Note. Graphic representation of major relationship themes of abortion fund applications.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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