鈥淥ne Problem Became Another鈥? Disclosure of Rape-Related Pregnancy in the Abortion Care Setting

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• 作者：Rachel Perry ; MD ; MPH^a ; ¹ ; ^{rachel.perry@uci.edu" class="auth_mail" title="E-mail the corresponding author}Author Vitae ; Molly Murphy ; MPH^bAuthor Vitae ; Sadia Haider ; MD ; MPH^aAuthor Vitae ; Bryna Harwood ; MD ; MS^a ; ¹Author Vitae
• 刊名：Women's Health Issues
• 出版年：2015
• 出版时间：September-October 2015
• 年：2015
• 卷：25
• 期：5
• 页码：470-475
• 全文大小：235 K

文摘

We sought to explore the experiences of women who disclosed that their pregnancies resulted from rape in the abortion care setting, as well as the experiences of professionals involved in care of women with rape-related pregnancy.

Methods

In-depth interviews were conducted with 9 patients who had terminated rape-related pregnancies and 12 professionals working in abortion care or rape crisis advocacy (5 abortion providers, 4 rape crisis center advocates, 2 social workers, and 1 clinic administrator). Transcribed interviews were coded and analyzed for themes related to the experiences of disclosing rape and the consequences of disclosure in the abortion care setting.

Results

Patients and professionals involved in care of women with rape-related pregnancy described opportunities arising from disclosure, including interpersonal (explaining abortion decision making in the context of assault, belief, and caring by providers), as well as structural opportunities (funding assistance, legal options, and mental health options). Whereas most patients did not choose to pursue all three structural opportunities, both patients and professionals emphasized the importance of offering them. The most important consequence of disclosure for patients was being believed and feeling that providers cared about them.

Conclusion

Rape-related pregnancy disclosure in the abortion care setting can lead to opportunities for interpersonal support and open options for funding, legal recourse, and mental health care. Those working in abortion care should create environments conducive to disclosure and opportunities for rape survivors to access these additional options if they desire.