ABSTRACT
After an introduction to coercive control, each theme and subtheme derived from this study is explained. Intimidation's subthemes of animal abuse, harassment, surveillance, threats, threats, threatens friends and family, and weapons are discussed to illustrate how intimidation operates within the intimate partner violence (IPV) victim's world of constant fear. Isolation's subthemes of economic control, false imprisonment, and financial control collectively seclude the IPV victim. Humiliation's subthemes of degradation and name calling effectively mortify the IPV victim. Power and control's subthemes of child abuse, violent acts toward family and friends, taking children from the IPV victim, deprivation of necessities, psychological control, verbal abuse, household, clothes, and personal belongings destroyed together cause the IPV victim to feel their abuser's omnipresence. Fearful of the future's subthemes of fear of children's safety and pregnant provide insight into the IPV victim's fear before the killing. Resistance to abuse's subthemes of helping abuser and separated or estranged explain the IPV victim's efforts to resist the abuse without using physical violence. Abuser mental illness’ subthemes of drinking alcohol, drug use, and paranoia illustrate when these issues collide with IPV. Physical violence's subthemes of nonfatal strangulation and rape and sexual abuse highlight the gravity of when coercive control turns physical.
