Trigger warning: This story discusses domestic violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233.

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“What happened?” I asked, eyeing her bruised face and broken arm.

Susan replied that three weeks prior, her abusive boyfriend had found out that she was pregnant.

He initially seemed supportive of her choice to not continue the pregnancy and even offered to drive her to our clinic for her appointment.

“But,” she continued, “on the way here he drove the car right into the median—he figured that would stop me from getting an abortion.”

After getting out of the hospital, she managed to escape her dangerous living situation with him, and she re-booked her appointment with us as soon as she could. “I don’t want anything to do with him,” she stated clearly. She had an uncomplicated abortion the following day.