Medication abortion is a relief for victim of domestic violence

“He only hits me when he’s mad” – that was how a patient, apologetically, described her partner and why she walked in to the PPMM health center where Health Services Specialist Shirley G. works. The young woman said she was pregnant and wanted to have an abortion because she felt her situation at home was unsafe.

Shirley recalled that, at first, the patient seemed to be blaming herself for being in an abusive relationship – one that was made harder to leave during this time of shelter-in-place. “I told her, ‘You deserve so much more,’” Shirley said. “She nodded and was glad to hear that. She knew it was true.” Shirley went on to inform the patient about options available to her, including going to a local domestic violence shelter, and other community resources.

Patients like this woman, who are in the early stages of pregnancy and want a medication abortion (MAB), must also make a follow-up appointment. Shirley said she’s become accustomed to seeing patients’ complete change of attitude and demeanor when they return for the MAB follow-up appointment.

“I can just see the relief on their faces,” she said. “You can tell they are at peace with themselves and their decision. It’s completely different than the fear and distress I see on their faces when they come in.

This is especially true for patients who report being in an intimate partner violence (IPV) situation. “It’s times like that when I’m reminded that I’m in the right place. These patients come in during one of the most frightening times of their lives, and I can help them through it.”