Chain of violence against women, poverty, and unintended pregnancy

Abstract

Women’s health, including reproductive health and maternal outcomes, has been strongly influenced by social determinants of health. Recently, in Japan, while the total number of pregnancies among teenager has decreased, the number of pregnancies among teenagers under sixteen, thought to be a result of abuse or sexual exploitation, has not changed so much. In this group, girls who have been brought up in a condition of poverty, neglect, or abuse are thought to adapt to high-risk sexual behavior as a mean to self-harm or adaptation. After running away from home to escape from their adverse environment, they are vulnerable to victimization of sexual exploitation in ‘JK-business’, a form of sex work which exploit young people, because of their low self-esteem. After birth giving birth and then without childcare support, these teenagers have difficulty graduating from high school. These girls are vulnerable to be caught up by sex work. And in some cases, they tend to be victims of intimate partner violence from men who get closer for the purpose of sexual abuse, so this undesirable environment is passed from generation to generation. Recognizing the chain of violence, poverty, and unintended pregnancy as an important problem in public health, special support and comprehensive care should be offered.