02

Identifying
coercive control

"Coercive control: you have to believe it to see it." - Jane Monckton Smith, English criminologist

Illustration of a female figure with, behind her, the shadow of a man in profile. The woman has one arm wrapped around her neck, like a scarf.

Beyond appearances 

Abusive partners tend to hide their true face in public. As a result, it’s hard to imagine what is really going on in the relationship.

To identify coercive control, we need to remember: 1) that there is no such thing as a typical abuser; 2) that there is no such thing as THE typical woman who is a victim of conjugal violence.

Coercive control exists across all segments of society, regardless of education level, age, economic status or ethnocultural background.  

To spot coercive control, you have to look beyond the appearances.

Consider the perpetrator’s behaviour

When it comes to conjugal violence, the victim's reactions are minutely scrutinized. What if we shifted our focus to the actions and intentions of the perpetrator?

When we understand coercive control, instead of asking, "Why didn't the victim leave?’’ we ask, “How did the perpetrator prevent her from leaving?”. 

Signs that tell the true story

Even if there are no signs of physical violence, there are signs that can alert us to the presence of coercive control in a relationship. These signs must be taken seriously, as they may indicate danger for the victim and those close to her. Learn how to detect them!  

Differentiating coercive control from quarrel 

Coercive control is very different from an ordinary couple's quarrel, nor is it the product of a turbulent relationship.

Learning about the differences between coercive control and conflicts in a relationship helps you: 1) better understand what is happening and 2) know how to respond. 

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03

Taking Action

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