The Dobbs decision, maternal homicide, and family violence: a call for interdisciplinary action

Since the 2022 Dobbs decision, 15 states have criminalized abortion for the first time in 50 years. Experts fear that bans will exacerbate the maternal mortality crisis in the country, especially for women of color. One of the top causes of maternal death in the United States is homicide. The relationship between violence and pregnancy is bi-directional; intimate partner violence is associated with unwanted pregnancies and unwanted pregnancies are associated with more intimate partner violence. Researchers have documented stories from women who report seeking an abortion because their partner is abusive, and they do not want to be "tethered" to that partner. With decreased abortion access, more children will likely be born into violent homes, increasing childhood exposure to household and lifetime violence. Our work explores the impact of the Dobbs decision and emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary and trauma informed strategies for preventing unplanned pregnancies and safeguarding families in this new political environment.