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 North Carolina, reproductive coercion is not explicitly recognized as a separate legal offense. However, it may intersect with various areas of law, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, or fraud. North Carolina law does address domestic violence and sexual assault, but the specific act of lying about birth control or sabotaging contraceptive methods is not clearly defined as a criminal act under state statutes. As such, while reproductive coercion may be a form of abuse and could potentially be addressed under broader legal categories, it is not directly addressed in terms of criminal liability or as a factor in rape or fraud charges. Furthermore, in the context of family law, the existence of reproductive coercion does not absolve a parent from child support obligations. The responsibility to provide child support is based on the best interests of the child, regardless of the circumstances surrounding conception.