ABSTRACT
Coercive control is a distinctive manifestation of domestic violence and abuse, which includes tactics deployed by abusers relating to coercion (physical and sexual violence; intimidation, threats and degradation) and those relating to control (isolation; exploitation and deprivation; micro-regulation of everyday behaviour). It has been characterised as a liberty crime and a violation of human rights that tends to be perpetrated by men against women. Although the theory of coercive control does not exclude the possibility of male victims and female perpetrators, the best available evidence suggests coercive control is highly gendered. Extant research reveals the significant harms that can result from being exposed to coercive controlling behaviour, and how these disproportionately affect women. This growing evidence base has prompted the expansion of policy definitions of domestic violence and abuse to include coercive control and the passage of new legislation in several countries that criminalises this type of behaviour. These reforms are often gender-neutral although coercive control itself is highly gendered. Understanding the significance of coercive control is critical for effective responses by criminal justice and partner agencies. Failure to identify and respond to coercive control results in inaccurate risk assessments, insufficient safeguarding and perpetrators not held to account for the full range of their harmful behaviours. A criminal justice response delivered through the lens of coercive control better reflects the lived experiences of victim-survivors, and there is emerging evidence that training may equip practitioners with the knowledge and understanding necessary to recognise coercive control and the devastating impact it can have on those exposed to it.
