Sperm theft, also known as forced fatherhood, spermjacking, or spurgling, occurs when a man’s sperm is used to impregnate a woman without his knowledge or consent. It typically involves deception about contraceptive use, unauthorized use of a discarded condom, or improper use of frozen sperm samples in fertility clinics. 

Methods

• Contraceptive Deception: A woman lies about using birth control or intentionally sabotages their agreed-upon contraceptive method.
• Sperm Stashing: A woman surreptitiously obtains a man’s semen, such as from a used condom, and then inseminates herself.
• Fertility Clinic Fraud: A man’s frozen sperm sample is used for artificial insemination without his permission, sometimes through forged signatures or a clinic’s negligence. 

Legal Status

Sperm theft is a controversial issue and is generally not a specific criminal offense in most jurisdictions. Instead, it often falls under civil law as a form of fraud, misrepresentation, or a violation of bodily autonomy. 

• Paternity and Child Support: Courts generally prioritize the “best interests of the child” and the biological link, meaning that the man is usually held financially responsible for child support, regardless of the circumstances of conception.
• Civil Lawsuits: Men have filed civil lawsuits against the women involved or the fertility clinics for damages, emotional distress, and compensation for child-rearing costs. The outcomes have been mixed, with some men being awarded damages while others are still required to pay child support.
• Legislative Efforts: In the United States, several states have passed laws specifically criminalizing fertility fraud by medical professionals, and there have been calls to amend laws to address general sperm theft as a form of sexual assault or a violation of reproductive rights. 

Social Context

The issue is widely discussed within men’s rights movements, who argue that men who are victims of sperm theft should not be forced into parenthood against their will. The debate often highlights an imbalance in reproductive rights and responsibilities between men and women. 

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Sperm theft,” also known as spermjacking or spurgling, refers to the unauthorized use of a man’s semen to impregnate a woman without his consent. It is considered a form of forced fatherhood and often involves deception about the use of contraception or the circumstances of conception. 

Methods

Forced fatherhood can occur through several methods:

• Sperm Stashing: Obtaining a man’s semen surreptitiously, such as from a discarded condom, for later self-insemination.
• Deception about Contraception: A woman falsely claims she is using contraception (e.g., is on the pill or has an IUD) to persuade a man to have unprotected sex, with the intent of becoming pregnant.
• Improper Use of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART): A man’s frozen sperm sample is used for artificial insemination or IVF without his permission, sometimes by forging his signature on consent forms at a fertility clinic.
• Sexual Assault: Pregnancy resulting from the sexual assault or rape of a man. 

Legal Status

The legal status of sperm theft is complex and not clearly defined in most jurisdictions. 

• Not a Criminal Offense: In many places, the act of “sperm theft” is not classified as a specific criminal offense or a sexual assault, though some lawmakers have pushed for changes to address this legal gap.
• Child Support Liability: Courts typically prioritize the best interests of the child and the biological link, meaning that a man is often held financially responsible for a child conceived with his sperm, regardless of the circumstances of conception.
• Civil Lawsuits for Damages: A victim of sperm theft may be able to sue the perpetrator for fraud, misrepresentation, or emotional distress in civil court. In some cases, courts have awarded the man compensation for damages or for the child support payments he is required to make. 

The issue is frequently discussed in the context of men’s rights and reproductive rights, highlighting the tension between biological parentage and consented parenthood.