Man Forces Pregnant Ex To Drink Bleach

In a story that provides credence to our recent post on reproductive coercion, the AJC is reporting that a Savannah man was arrested for forcing his pregnant ex-girlfriend to drink bleach.

Authorities say Alexis Milton is wanted on an aggravated assault charge. The charge stems from a June 10 incident in which authorities allege Milton walked into the unidentified victim's home and told everyone but her to leave. Savannah-Chatham Police spokeswoman Gena Moore says the victim alleges Milton then forced her to drink an unspecified amount of bleach or be killed, then punched her several times and took off.

This crime is especially egregious because the victim is pregnant, and it is hard to believe that her pregnancy was not a motive in this particular offense. Abusers often try to force their partners to miscarry or to have abortions they do not want. If the child survives such treatment, there are often major long-term health effects. Pregnancy is a time when abuse often increases, and it is vital that women experiencing abuse during pregnancy seek help. It is also important for obstetricians and midwives to receive training on the warning signs of domestic violence. Prenatal appointments can be an opportune time for doctors to discuss safety options with women without their partners present. If you are pregnant and would like to speak with an advocate, or if you work with pregnant women and would like to bring a domestic violence training into your workplace, please call our 24-hour hotline at 404-688-9436. (Outside of metro Atlanta: 1-800-33-HAVEN. Outside of Georgia: 1-800-799-SAFE.)