Breaking Down the Myths: Coercive Control and Its Disproportionate Impact on Women

Coercive control refers to a pattern of behaviour used by an individual to maintain power and control over another person in an intimate or family relationship. This can involve a wide range of tactics, such as isolation from friends and family, monitoring of activities, control of finances, intimidation, threats, and physical or sexual violence.

Coercive control is important to know about, because it can have serious and long-lasting impacts on victims’ physical and mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. It can also escalate to physical violence, and in extreme cases, it can lead to murder or suicide.

Research has also shown that women are more likely to be victims of coercive control than men, and that the majority of perpetrators are men. This makes it a gendered issue – one I frequently hear men argue against, with anecdotes of those “bad” women they have known, but with little desire to investigate and look into the statistics that demonstrate the specific harms that women predominantly face at the hands of men.

The gendered nature of coercive control and domestic violence needs to be acknowledged and appropriately understood as a first step in developing effective prevention and intervention strategies.

Recognising coercive control as a form of abuse and understanding its dynamics is then crucial to the provision of effective support and intervention for those experiencing it.

It is also important for law enforcement, legal professionals, and policymakers to recognise coercive control as a criminal offence and to develop appropriate legal and policy responses.

This includes providing support and resources for victims, holding perpetrators accountable for their actions, and challenging societal norms and attitudes that perpetuate gender inequality and violence against women.

Criminalising Coercive Control

Countries where coercive control has now been recognised as a crime, include:

1. England and Wales: In 2015, the Serious Crime Act was amended to include a new offence of “controlling or coercive behavior” in intimate or familial relationships. This offence carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
2. Scotland: In 2019, the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act came into effect, creating a new offense of “coercive and controlling behavior” in domestic relationships. This offence carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.
3. Ireland: In 2018, the Domestic Violence Act was amended to include a new offence of “coercive control” in domestic relationships. This offense carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
4. France: In 2010, the French government passed a law that criminalised “psychological violence” in intimate relationships, which includes behaviour, such as threats, insults, and manipulation. This offence carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison.
5. Spain: In 2019, the Spanish government passed a new law that criminalised “serious coercive and controlling behaviour” in intimate relationships. This offence carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

Some of the Issues Associated With Criminalising Coercive Control

While criminalising coercive control is an important first step towards addressing this form of domestic violence, there are some potential issues and challenges with implementing and enforcing such laws.

This needs to be acknowledged up front, with steps taken to address these issues, to ensure that women are protected and not subject to inappropriate responses by the professionals meant to be looking after them.

A few of the main issues with criminalising coercive control include:

1. Difficulties in proving the offence: Unlike physical abuse, which often leaves visible evidence, coercive control is often characterized by subtle or indirect tactics that can be difficult to prove in court. This can make it challenging for prosecutors to secure convictions and for victims to seek legal recourse.
2. Limited awareness and understanding of the offence: Many people, including law enforcement officials and judges, may not be familiar with the concept of coercive control and may not recognise it as a form of domestic abuse. This can lead to cases being dismissed or perpetrators not being held accountable for their actions.
3. Fear of false accusations: Some opponents of criminalising coercive control argue that the offense is too broad and could lead to false accusations or abuse of the legal system. They also argue that criminalising behaviour that is not physical in nature could lead to a “nanny state” and infringe on individual liberties.
4. Stigma and shame: Victims of coercive control may feel ashamed or embarrassed to come forward, particularly if they do not have physical evidence of the abuse. Criminalising the offence may not necessarily address the underlying societal attitudes and stigma that contribute to the problem.

Despite these challenges, criminalising coercive control remains an important step towards addressing domestic violence and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. It also sends a message to society that this type of behavior is not acceptable and should be taken seriously.

At the heart of addressing these issues is the urgent need for education, both for the professionals involved in assisting survivors, but also with respect to society more broadly.

Educating on Coercive Control

Educating people on coercive control is an important step towards raising awareness about the issue and preventing domestic abuse. Some of the education efforts that we seeing happening today include:

1. Schools and universities: The incorporation of education on domestic violence, including coercive control, into school curriculums, which can help raise awareness and teach young people about healthy relationships. This can include topics, such as identifying abusive behaviours, setting boundaries, and understanding consent.
2. Public awareness campaigns: Running public awareness campaigns, such as billboards, posters, or social media ads, which can help raise awareness about the signs and effects of coercive control. These campaigns can also provide information on where victims can seek help and support.
3. Workplaces: Employers providing education on domestic violence, including coercive control, to their employees. This can involve training sessions or resources that teach employees how to recognise and respond to signs of abuse, as well as information on support services available to victims.
4. Community groups: Community groups, such as churches, youth groups, or sports teams, can also play a role in educating people on coercive control. These groups can provide educational materials, host workshops or training sessions, and provide resources and support to victims.
5. Social media: Social media platforms can also be used to raise awareness about coercive control. Sharing stories of survivors, providing information on the signs of abuse, and directing people to resources and support services can all help raise awareness and educate people on this important issue.

It’s important to note that education efforts should be targeted towards both potential victims and potential perpetrators, as well as friends and family members who may witness signs of abuse. By raising awareness and educating people on coercive control, we can help create a culture where domestic abuse is not tolerated and victims are supported and empowered.

Where To From Here?

Governments can play a key role in supporting education efforts on coercive control as well, through the provision of funding, resources, and legislative support. Some of the ways that governments can support education efforts include:

1. Funding: Governments can provide funding for public awareness campaigns, training sessions, and educational resources related to domestic violence, including coercive control. This could involve grants, subsidies, or other forms of financial support.
2. Partnerships with community groups: Governments can partner with community groups, such as schools, churches, and local organisations, to deliver educational programs and resources. This can help to reach a wider audience and ensure that education efforts are tailored to local needs.
3. Legislation: Governments can pass legislation that criminalises coercive control and provides legal protections for victims of domestic abuse. This can send a strong message that domestic abuse is not acceptable and help to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
4. Support for victims: Governments can provide support services for victims of domestic abuse, including hotlines, shelters, counselling, and legal assistance. These services can help to ensure that victims have access to the resources they need to leave abusive relationships and rebuild their lives.
5. Research and evaluation: Governments can support research into the effectiveness of education efforts on coercive control and other forms of domestic abuse. This can help to identify best practices and ensure that education efforts are having a positive impact.

By taking these steps, governments can help to support education efforts on coercive control and work towards preventing domestic abuse.

It’s important to note that education and prevention efforts should be a part of a larger strategy to address domestic abuse, which may also include legal and law enforcement measures, as well as support for victims.

Understanding the gendered nature of coercive control and domestic violence is critical to these efforts and in addressing systemic issues of gender inequality and violence against women. Professionals and people in the wider community need to gain awareness about these issues. By acknowledging and addressing these issues, we can work towards creating safer and more equitable communities for all.

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