Nearly 6 million U.S. women became pregnant due to sexual violence

AN. 31, 2024 / 9:50 AM

By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay

Becoming pregnant as a result of sexual violence is disturbingly common in the United States, a new study reveals.

Nearly 6 million U.S. women have become pregnant as a result of rape or sexual coercion, researchers reported recently in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

This equates to about one in every 20 American women enduring a pregnancy due to sexual violence, the researchers said.

"This study focuses attention on the intersection of violence and reproductive health and how rape and sexual coercion have a lasting impact on women's health and lives," said lead researcher Denise D'Angelo, a health scientist with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pregnancy resulting from sexual coercion -- non-physically forced, unwanted penetration -- is even more common than pregnancy resulting from rape, D'Angelo said.

More:
https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2024/01/31/2191706711706/