Women who were pressured into taking abortion pills are now speaking out against a prominent domestic violence support organization funded by the federal government. They claim this group is supporting policies that have exacerbated their situations.
Even while acknowledging that abusive partners can misuse the easily accessible mifepristone, the National Domestic Violence Hotline and Legal Voice are opposing Louisiana’s challenge to relaxed FDA rules that permit anyone to obtain the abortion pill via mail.
In a February legal brief, the organization argued that the best way to address reproductive coercion is to focus on the root causes of abuse, rather than limiting access to crucial medication that supports many survivors’ reproductive health and safety. They asserted that reinstating in-person dispensing for the pill “would harm survivors.”
Rosalie Markezich, a co-plaintiff in the lawsuit filed by Louisiana, described the group’s stance as “confusing,” emphasizing that the FDA’s policy had allowed her boyfriend to coerce her into taking the pill.
According to Markezich, she didn’t want an abortion but felt “trapped and terrified,” so she took the medication her boyfriend received from a doctor in California through the mail.
She expressed that had an in-person doctor visit been required, she could have sought help: “I could have told someone, I do not want an abortion. I’m being coerced.”
The hotline argues that abusers can still be prosecuted under other laws in Louisiana and will find alternative means to interfere with their partners’ pregnancies if telemedicine is eliminated.
The legal brief stated that just as it’s horrific to hear about pregnant individuals being subjected to various coercive actions, it is equally important to take seriously those coerced into taking mifepristone. Ending access through telemedicine is not deemed an effective solution.
Receiving nearly $25 million in contributions for the 2024 fiscal year, the hotline heavily depends on taxpayer money. Since 2020, it has accumulated over $105 million from the Department of Health and Human Services, including $17.5 million expected in 2025.
Markezich voiced her intention to advocate for women, asserting that many don’t feel empowered to share their experiences, often feeling embarrassed or ashamed. She wants to make sure their stories are heard.
No comment was provided by the National Domestic Violence Hotline and Legal Voice upon request.
While not fully supporting the rollback of safety requirements during the Biden administration, the Trump administration is endeavoring to halt ongoing lawsuits. The Department of Justice has asked to postpone Louisiana’s case until the FDA concludes its review of mifepristone, without indicating when that will be finished. They have also pushed to pause a lawsuit from Missouri, Idaho, and Kansas aiming to restore previous safety regulations.
No Safeguard
A survey conducted by the Charlotte Lozier Institute in 2023 revealed that over 60% of women who had abortions felt some form of pressure.
Mary J. Browning, a legal advisor for The Justice Foundation’s Operation Outcry, expressed surprise at a domestic violence organization taking a stance that seemingly benefits those who would coerce abortions.
The Justice Foundation has compiled accounts from women hurt by their abortions, including cases of coercion, in support of Louisiana’s position.
Browning questioned the rationale of an organization claiming to protect women while also saying that lacking these protections is in their best interest.
Multiple online abortion providers also surfaced during a DCNF investigation, which highlighted how pills were issued without thorough eligibility checks. Some groups even provided instructions for pills well beyond the FDA’s approved usage period—raising risks of serious complications.
Reports indicate one in ten women taking the abortion pill could face a severe adverse event, far surpassing figures reported by drug manufacturers.
Jessica Williams shared her experience, stating, “There’s no real verification—are these pills even going to the intended person? Are they safe? Are they coerced?” She recalled how her ex-husband pressured her to take mifepristone, which she ultimately reversed after taking the first pill, and now has a healthy daughter.
Numerous instances of men tricking partners into taking abortion pills have been noted. One case involved a Texas man who allegedly dissolved pills into a woman’s drink without her knowledge, despite her resistance to the idea of abortion.
Williams highlighted the lack of safeguards in place and pointed out that while abusers might find other ways to control their partners, the pill remains a prevalent method in reported incidents, making mail order access particularly concerning.
“Mail order makes it so accessible for them,” she remarked, comparing it to past abusive practices that we don’t commonly hear about today.
