ABSTRACT
This chapter presents evidence that challenges the gendered approach to understanding men’s violence in relationships. It suggests that the development of abusive behaviour is complex, multi-faceted, and often originates in early childhood relationships and trauma. There is a wealth of research that details the sexual parity in intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration. Women’s violence is further seen within same-sex relationships; lesbian relationships tend to be significantly more violent than gay male relationships and more violent than heterosexual relationships. Coercive control, emotional aggression, psychological aggression, and controlling behaviour are all terms that represent a form of IPV characterised by non-physical aggression and abuse. The use of multiple terms means there have been many definitions of what coercive control is and how it is measured; common themes that are seen amongst the definitions include humiliation, threats, degradation, and isolation.
