Coercive control describes a range or pattern of behaviours that enable a perpetrator to maintain or regain control of a partner, ex-partner or family member.
In relationships, coercive control can begin as simply as getting the victim to change what they’re wearing or manipulating the victim with reasons why they can’t go to family functions or something as simple as going to the local shop on their own, or at all. Ensuring their independence is revoked and depriving the victim of any support or communication with the outside world.
The perpetrator will be highly manipulative in ways to diminish the victim’s sense of self, their freedom, their worth. Controlling every aspect of the victim’s life through fear
Examples of coercive control might include:
- Controlling or observing victim’s daily activities, this may include:
- being made to account for their time
- restricting access to money
- restricting their movements (including being locked in the property)
- Isolating the victim from family/friends - intercepting messages or phone calls
- Constant criticism of victim’s role as a partner/spouse/parent.
- Threats of suicide/homicide/familicide.
- Preventing the victim from taking medication/accessing care (especially relevant for victims with disabilities).
- Using children to control their partner, e.g., threats to take the children.
- Extreme dominance; a sense of ‘entitlement’ to partner/partner’s services, obedience etc
- Extreme jealousy (“If I can’t have you, no one can”), giving the victim cause to believe they will act on this.
- Damage to property, including to pets.
- Threats to expose sensitive information (e.g., sexual activity) or make false allegations to family members, religious or local community including via photos or the internet.
- Involvement of wider family members/community; crimes in the name of ‘honour’.
- Manipulation of information given to professionals.
Children are often used as a way to continue controlling the victim, particularly post separation through child contact. Professionals should be aware of the tactics used by perpetrators and the impact of these on the children to ensure appropriate support is put in place for them as well as the adult victim.
Hidden in Plain Sight was created using genuine lived experiences of survivors and focuses on coercive control tactics.
What is Coercive Control? Shona's Story - YouTube
What is Coercive Control? Amira's Story - YouTube
The animations can be used as a training tool, to explore;
- controlling behaviour & tactics
- the impact & consequences on women, children and young people
- challenges in seeking help
- challenges in identifying perpetrator's behaviour
