Reproductive coercion is the deception, lying, or deceit by one sexual partner of the other regarding the partners’ agreed birth control and sexually-transmitted-disease-protection practices. Reproductive coercion can take many forms, and may be perpetrated by women or men. For example, one partner may falsely represent to the other partner the use or continued use of birth control, or otherwise sabotage the partners’ agreed birth control practices. Although this behavior may result in nonconsensual sexual contact, the law generally does not recognize rape or fraud charges based on such behavior—due in part to the difficulty in proving such matters. And the allegation or proof of such behavior will not change a parent’s child support obligations.

In Louisiana, reproductive coercion is not explicitly defined or addressed as a distinct crime in state statutes. However, certain aspects of reproductive coercion may intersect with existing laws related to sexual offenses or domestic abuse. For example, nonconsensual sexual contact can be prosecuted under Louisiana's sexual assault laws. Nevertheless, the specific act of deceiving a partner about birth control or STD protection is not directly criminalized, and proving such deception in a court of law can be challenging. Furthermore, regardless of whether reproductive coercion has occurred, it does not absolve a parent of their child support obligations. Child support is determined based on the best interests of the child and parental responsibility, not the circumstances of conception.