Post by Birth for Humankind

No Consent, No Care: Birth for Humankind Position Statement Birth for Humankind welcomes the recent Supreme Court of Victoria ruling affirming that vaginal examinations (VE) performed without free and informed consent constitute battery, assault, and negligence. This decision reflects what many people have long known through lived experience: consent is not optional in maternity care. Every person has the right to make decisions about their body during pregnancy, labour, and birth, including the right to say no. Consent must be freely given, informed, and without coercion. It cannot be obtained through pressure, fear, or the withholding of care. We acknowledge the courage of the individual who brought this case forward. Speaking out about experiences of harm in maternity care is not easy, and it is often made harder by power imbalances within the health system. We also recognise that these experiences are not felt equally. People from marginalised communities — including First Nations people, people of colour, migrants and refugees, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ people, and those experiencing financial hardship — are more likely to experience coercion, dismissal, and a lack of informed consent in healthcare settings. These experiences are shaped by systemic racism, bias, stigma, and structural inequality. At Birth for Humankind, we hear these stories every day. This ruling is an important step. However, legal accountability alone is not enough. We need sustained, system-wide commitment to: + trauma-informed, person-centred care + genuine informed decision-making + equitable access to continuity of care + culturally-responsive practices for all communities Healthcare providers operate within complex systems, but no system pressure justifies overriding a person’s autonomy. Respectful maternity care must be the standard, not the exception. Birth for Humankind remains committed to supporting people, particularly those experiencing systemic disadvantage, to access safe, respectful, and empowering care, and to advocating for a maternity system where every person is heard, respected, and able to make decisions about their own body. Content note: If this brings anything up for you, support is available. Please reach out to your care provider or a trusted support service.   #BirthForHumankind #RespectfulMaternityCare #InformedConsent #BirthRights #BirthTrauma #ReproductiveJustice #EquityInHealthcare