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 Utah, reproductive coercion is not explicitly recognized as a criminal offense under state law. While the behavior described involves deception regarding birth control and sexually-transmitted-disease-protection practices, it does not fit neatly into existing categories of criminal offenses such as rape or fraud, primarily due to challenges in proving intent and the private nature of the conduct. Consequently, even if reproductive coercion occurs, it does not typically lead to criminal charges. Furthermore, the occurrence of reproductive coercion does not impact a parent's obligation to pay child support. Child support in Utah is determined based on the best interests of the child and the financial circumstances of the parents, not on the behavior of the parents leading to conception.