ABSTRACT
Coercive control is becoming a more recognized form of intimate partner violence (IPV), but there is much to be learned about this type of abusive conduct that does not require physical violence for its success on its victim. Indeed, it is difficult for the general populace, who has never experienced this type of torture, to understand how it can be implemented by its abuser across vast distances as efficiently and effectively as any one well-placed blow to the face. Through detailed case studies of heterosexual spousal homicides, imagery emerges of the complexities of coercive control and its non-violent tactics that help to explain the fact that physical acts of violence are not always as effective on the IPV victim. This exploratory study explains themes and subthemes of coercive control, derived through a mixed methods phased study, that empirically adds to the literature on coercive control and intimate partner homicide (IPH). The book's three parts explore in detail (1) the reasons for the difficulty in legislating against coercive control, (2) examples and reasons why it is imperative to legislate against coercive control, and (3) results and findings of the study to support an initiative to legislate against coercive control.
