Sexual coercion and "reproductive control," including contraceptive sabotage, are a common, and devastating, facet of dating and domestic abuse. A growing number of studies, experts and young women themselves are testifying to boyfriends demanding unprotected sex, lying about "pulling out," hiding or destroying birth control -- flushing pills down the toilet, say -- and preventing (or, in some cases, forcing) abortion.

The implications for young women's and public health are profound, among them unintended pregnancy, miscarriage and STDs, including HIV.

This article first appeared on Alternet
- I've chosen to link to it at RHRealityCheck instead of Alternet because of the tone of the comment thread at Alternet.