Remote Control
At First Glance
Every Thursday evening, the family gets together to watch a TV program. A special family moment!
The Reality
"Watching television as a family for my daughters was like a celebration. On one occasion, the youngest asked to put on her favourite show. I handed her the remote control, and her father snatched it from my hands, calling me names. "I get to decide." He squeezed my wrist so hard that my daughter changed her mind so he would stop. She never asked for anything again. Those moments together in the living room became very tense. All my daughters' attention was focused on their father as if to make sure he couldn't blame them or me for anything."
The Signs
Physical aggression and creating a climate of fear and tension are examples of coercive control
Why is this Coercive Control?
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01
Climate of tension
The father has established a strict ritual where he alone can choose the programs the family will watch. He also imposes silence on the whole family.
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02
Impact on children
Children feel the constant climate of fear imposed by their father. Even if they are not directly targeted, they adapt their behaviour to comply with arbitrary rules and respond to their father's needs.
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03
Physical violence
Tightly gripping the wrist is physical violence. Even if it doesn't leave a mark, it is a gesture of domination that aims to hurt, imposing oneself with force and provoking fear.
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