Abortion rights in cases of stealthing: reflections, challenges, and legal possibilities in Brazil.

Source: PubMed, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine

This article discusses the phenomenon of stealthing, which is characterized by the removal of the condom during sexual intercourse by the man without his partner's consent. Because of unprotected sexual intercourse, there is the possibility of an unplanned pregnancy. However, there is no classification of such an act in the Brazilian legal system as sexual violence or rape, which makes it impossible for the victim to seek a legal abortion. We discuss the case of a young woman who, at the age of 25, became pregnant because of stealthing. Given the status of her relationship with her partner, her age, her future life plans, her lack of desire for motherhood at that time, and the lack of judicial support, the young woman resorted to an illegal abortion. Her case inspires a reflection on condom removal without consent and the need for legal, social, and academic discussion about the phenomenon of stealthing. The aim of this study is to discuss issues and circumstances related to stealthing and provide insights into legal possibilities for resorting to a legal abortion in Brazil in cases of this kind of sexual violence.