What Is Coercive Control?

Some of the behaviours of an (ex-)partner may seem trivial (e.g., a spouse who always accompanies his partner to work, asks her to let him know where she is so he can contact her "in case of emergency," is jealous of her relationships with people close to her, or makes hurtful comments about the way she dresses).

Coercive control is apparent when all these behaviours are considered together.

The victim is monitored and followed at all times, and slowly, her circle of family and friends shrinks. She plans everything she does based on what her (ex-) partner will say or do. Gradually, she feels trapped, as if in an invisible cage. She ends up living in an almost constant state of tension. The long-term impact is devastating.

Victims often struggle to identify such abuse, and their loved ones or the professionals around them may fail to recognize it as well.  

Coercive control refers to a series of strategies used by a partner or ex-partner to, little by little, isolate, control, terrorize, and gradually deprive his victim of her freedom.

It's a subtle, gradual process in which the perpetrator gains control over his partner without necessarily resorting to physical violence.

Coercive control is not a new form of conjugal violence; instead, it's another ‘’lens’’ that allows us to see violence from a new perspective.  

Identifying these strategies can be difficult. If we overlook them, we risk confusing them with "couple quarrels," relationship issues or a separation dispute. 

• Coercive control does not always include physical or verbal violence.
• The proliferation of daily constraints, harassment, threats, economic violence and humiliation all take place in private, ‘’behind closed doors’’.  
• Traditional gender roles and stereotypes can make certain controlling behaviours seem "acceptable."
• Victims may not realize they are in an abusive relationship when there is no physical violence.  
• The perpetrator’s control strategies, if we view them in isolation, may seem less serious. 

Recognizing that coercive control is at the heart of the dynamics of conjugal violence is an important step forward. It's a lever to ensure better protection for victims of conjugal violence and their children and to increase their access to justice.

This concept also brings into relief the often hidden face of conjugal violence. It enables us to describe the processes of deprivation of freedom, of "intimate terrorism." 

The notion of coercive control:

• Provides a more comprehensive view of conjugal violence. Victims can more easily identify with this vision, which is closer to their experience.
• Illustrates the diversity of invisible strategies for taking control: proliferation of unwarranted rules, restriction of freedoms, isolation, blame, humiliation, etc.
• Changes our perspective as it focuses on the perpetrator’s behaviours and strategies for controlling the victim rather than on the victim's reactions or lack of reaction to the abuse.