Understanding coercive control and what we can do to prevent it

The concept of coercive control has surfaced in public conversation recently, as a result of a proposed legislation in NSW to criminalise specific acts of domestic and family violence. What is coercive control exactly and what are the signs we need to look out for?

Many victims of domestic and family violence experience a pattern of abusive behaviours that can be difficult to identify as violence or abuse. These tend to be behaviours less understood than physical abuse and can even be accepted by the victim as a normal part of the relationship.

What is it?

Essentially coercive control is a pattern of repeated behaviour which can include psychological, emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Most often it refers to psychological and emotional abuse that is used by the perpetrator to control and manipulate the victim in a manner that erodes their self-confidence and self-esteem.

Coercive control is largely invisible, which makes it harder to identify, and is most often perpetrated by men against women and children. It includes degrading comments, constant surveillance (e.g. by the use of tracking devices on mobile phones), micro-managing of others’ lives through strict rules to live by, including such things as what the victim can cook, when they sleep and when they can leave the house.

We saw this play out in the heart-wrenching case of Hannah Clarke and her three children, all of whom were killed by Hannah’s husband after enduring years of abuse that included coercive control. A three-day inquiry to examine submissions that would criminalise coercive control in NSW commenced on the anniversary of this February 2020 incident.

Supporting the case for a change in legislation is the finding that coercive control was the most common risk factor present prior to a domestic violence homicide in NSW.¹ In 77 of the state’s 78 domestic violence homicides reviewed in 2015-17, the relationship between the domestic violence victim and the domestic violence abuser was characterised by the abuser’s use of coercive and controlling behaviours towards the victim.

On the work front, health and safety regulators like WorkSafe Victoria are beginning to include in their family violence definition “coercive or controlling behaviour”.²

From the victim’s perspective

The controlling behaviour at the centre of this type of abuse is designed to make a person dependent on the perpetrator by isolating them from family and friends, exploiting them, depriving them of independence and regulating their everyday behaviour.^1,3 The danger is that it is insidious and happens slowly, then escalates. It makes victims feel like everything is their fault, that they are not smart enough or good enough, that their family doesn’t love them. They typically start to second-guess themselves and believe what the perpetrator is telling them.

Professor Evan Stark, a government-consulted expert on this topic in the US and UK, likens coercive control to being taken hostage. “The victim becomes captive in an unreal world created by the abuser, entrapped in a world of confusion, contradiction and fear.”³ Dr Stark believes that it strips women and children of their freedom and autonomy.

Managing the issue at work

In a working environment, it is important as managers and colleagues that we continue to make things easier for our co-workers to come forward and seek help should they be having issues at home, remembering that work can be for some a refuge from a controlling or abusive partner and one of their safest avenues to pursue help. In the current climate of working from home, this opportunity of refuge is limited.

The need to check in and maintain frequent one-on-one contact with team members is critical, preferably in person where COVID health restrictions permit. The key message with coercive control is that not all forms of violence are physical so we shouldn’t be waiting for signs like injuries or emotional breakdowns to have a supportive conversation with someone who may be subjected to abusive behaviours at home. Yes, spotting the signs is more challenging from afar, but with adequate check-ins, we can still observe for the usual signs – like uncharacteristic behaviours, absences, withdrawal or lack of connection, mood changes and decline in performance – to understand that someone may need support.

Raising awareness of the issue of domestic and family violence at work is more important than ever. We know there is 1 woman being killed every 9 days by a partner, and 1 man killed every 29 days.³ Continued education for recognising and addressing the underlying factors of domestic violence, and recognising the signs and prevention strategies is paramount.

En Masse is a leader of training in this space for workplaces, offering a selection of online and face-to-face programs in domestic and family violence, including for organisations seeking White Ribbon accreditation, along with gender inclusion and unconscious bias. contact us to learn more.

Understanding coercive control and what we can do to prevent it

What is it?

From the victim’s perspective

Managing the issue at work

References

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