F2.02 - IGNITE: Analyzing Reddit Discourse About Stealthing, Lying About Birth Control and Vasectomies in a Post-roe Society

Brief Abstract Summary: Non-consensual condom removal, or "stealthing," involves covertly taking off a condom during sex without consent, exposing the partner to STIs and unintended pregnancy. Following Roe v. Wade's overturn, demand for contraception and vasectomies has risen. Reproductive coercion also includes deceit about contraception or vasectomies to secure consent. In summer 2024, a content analysis was conducted on a Reddit thread discussing coercive behaviors (n = 147) to identify common themes. Participants expressed feelings of deception, risk, and debated the ethical and legal aspects of stealthing and contraception deceit. These findings can inform public health education on reproductive coercion, especially given evolving abortion laws.

Detailed abstract description: Non-consensual condom removal or “stealthing" is the covert act of removing a condom during sex without the other partner's consent, therefore, making them vulnerable to STIs and unwanted pregnancy. In a post-Roe world, these risks are even more detrimental when thinking about the consequences of pregnancy, sharing medical information such as birth control status, and legal implications. The deception of the act has been described in previous research by survivors as a violation of a sexual agreement and informed consent. Stealthing has been in the spotlight in recent years, as the conversation about stealthing has evolved, and more research has been conducted to understand the physical and emotional impact of stealthing on individuals. This increased discourse and awareness of stealthing has led to the passing of legislation to categorize stealthing as sexual battery in the State of California. However, in today’s society, there are multiple other forms of reproductive coercion including lying about birth control or a vasectomy to gain consent. After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, more people are seeking contraception and vasectomies. Due to multiple forms of deceit being used as sexual coercion, there is a need to better understand these behaviors, especially in a post-Roe world where abortion laws have changed significantly, as has access to Plan B. As a result, it is vital to focus efforts on increasing awareness and sex education on different and emerging forms of sexual coercion, especially as contraception and abortion are being stripped in some states. This study examined the discourse around these forms of sexual coercion to better understand how these and other behaviors are related and distinct from each other. A content analysis of a Reddit post chain asking about coercive behavior was conducted during the summer of 2024. The response (n =147) was used to conduct a content analysis to identify overarching themes. In a preliminary evaluation of posts, users discussed feelings of deception, risk, and moral and legal implications (disclosing medical history about contraception); however, some argued that stealthing, lying about birth control, an lying about getting a vasectomy were coercion or sexual assault, while others believed there were distinct differences between the acts. The results of this study can be used to better understand all of the sexually coercive behaviors, how the public perceives these behaviors, and ways to frame these issues to frame educational opportunities. Furthermore, this information can be helpful in developing public health education programs to discuss forms of reproductive coercion and its implications within the context of the changing abortion laws across the United States and equitable access to contraceptives. While the act of stealthing is not relatively new, the comparison to birth control and vasectomies is and should be addressed through sex education.