A new report released today by Women’s Health Victoria (WHV) reveals major ongoing inequities in abortion and contraception access across the state, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged communities in some regional areas.
The Realising access report provides, for the first time, data showing that people from disadvantaged communities in Victoria are more likely to seek abortions after nine weeks, which drastically narrows their healthcare options.
The Realising access report paints a stark picture of the continued barriers many Victorians face in accessing timely Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (SRH) services. It is based on analysis of de-identified data from over 30,000 calls to WHV’s 1800 My Options phoneline from 2018–2023, and its map of over 700 registered sexual and reproductive health providers, alongside indicators from the Victorian Women’s Health Atlas and population data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Women's Health Victoria (2024) Major report reveals stark inequities in abortion access across Victoria. Women's Health Victoria Media Release. 2024 (Oct 24).
