Obstetric Violence Blog

The Obstetric Violence Blog offers a multidisciplinary platform for commentary, analysis, and critical reflection on established and emerging issues related to obstetric violence, disrespect and abuse during pregnancy and childbirth, and human rights in childbirth more generally. It aims to promote dialogue and awareness of obstetric violence and related issues between interested stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and across the globe. We welcome submissions from students, early career researchers, policymakers, academics from all relevant fields, lawyers, healthcare professionals and support services, civil society organisations and anyone with a vested interest in obstetric violence and abuse during childbirth which is broadly construed.

Blogs will not be peer-reviewed but will be reviewed by the editorial staff for relevance, originality, timeliness, topic, style, and focus. Blogs under consideration elsewhere or those already published on other platforms will not be considered. Before being posted on the CELLS website, editors will collaborate with authors to edit the piece. X (formally, Twitter) and Instagram will be used to publicise published blogs.

To submit a blog post for consideration, please read our Blog Guidelines

Latest Blogs

COVID-19: Escalating the Threat to Autonomy and Rights during Childbirth

This blog forms part of a series of blogs that showcase the important contributions published in Women’s Birthing Bodies and the Law: Unauthorised Intimate Examinations, Power and Vulnerability (2020). In her chapter, ‘Human Rights and Gender Stereotypes in Childbirth’ Christina Zampas offers an impactful account and analysis of the influence of gender stereotyping in childbirth.

Implied Consent to Vaginal Examination

This blog forms part of a series of blogs that showcase the important contributions published in Women’s Birthing Bodies and the Law: Unauthorised Intimate Examinations, Power and Vulnerability (2020). Jonathan Herring’s chapter, ‘Implied Consent and Vaginal Examination in Pregnancy’, offers a much-needed explanation about why implied consent is not an acceptable form of consent for vaginal examinations during labour.

When a Uterus Enters the Room, Reason Goes Out the Window

This blog forms part of a series of blogs that showcase the important contributions published in Women’s Birthing Bodies and the Law: Unauthorised Intimate Examinations, Power and Vulnerability (2020). Stella Villarmea’s chapter offers a philosophical interrogation into the underlying reasons why it is ‘so obvious’ to some that women lack capacity for rational thought during labour and childbirth.

What is in a Sexual Assault?

This blog forms part of a series of blogs that showcase contributions published in Women’s Birthing Bodies and the Law: Unauthorised Intimate Examinations, Power and Vulnerability (2020). Catarina Sjölin investigates the application of the Sexual Offences Act to unauthorised vaginal examinations and her post underscores some concerning difficulties that stem from the neutral and simple language in the Act.

Thinking Philosophically (Again) about Obstetric Violence

This blog forms part of a series of blogs that showcase the important contributions published in Women’s Birthing Bodies and the Law: Unauthorised Intimate Examinations, Power and Vulnerability (2020). Sara Cohen Shabot shares some of her reflections in the Afterword, ‘Unauthorised Intimate Examinations as/and Sexual Violence: Some Epistemic and Phenomenological Considerations’.

A Behind the Scenes Account of Women’s Birthing Bodies and the Law: Unauthorised Intimate Examinations, Power and Vulnerability (Hart, 2020)

This blog forms part of a series of blogs that showcase the important contributions published in Women’s Birthing Bodies and the Law: Unauthorised Intimate Examinations, Power and Vulnerability (2020). Being the first blog in the series, it explores the underlying motivation for the edited collection.

Non-Consented Vaginal Examinations: A Hidden Violation?

This blog forms part of a series of blogs that showcase contributions published in Women’s Birthing Bodies and the Law: Unauthorised Intimate Examinations, Power and Vulnerability (2020). Rebecca Brione, from Birthrights, offers a glimpse into women’s experiences of unauthorised vaginal examinations, as shared with Birthrights and AIMS. It gives a flavour of the issues that arise, the impact on women who live with these experiences, and the lack of opportunity for proper redress faced by women