The Effects Of Coercive Control On A Intimate Relationship

As for Michele Paddon, creator of the Women’s program currently delivered by Changing Ways, she describes in her book abuse as the use of "[...] words, actions or behaviours – on purpose and repeatedly – with the intention of gaining control over that person" (Paddon, 2015). She also establishes three different dimensions of domestic violence, based on the work of Michael P. Johnson: common couple violence (CCV), intimate terrorism and violent resistance (VR).

In “Lines of Color, Sex, and Service: Sexual Coercion in the Early Republic,” by Sharon Block she examines the startling similarities between Harriet Jacobs, an African-American slave in 1825 and Rachel Davis, an indentured servant during the 1790s. At first glance, it would seem that both girls would have no similarities, however, by uncovering their stories you can find many parallels between Harriet and Rachel. Both girls are faced with sexual pressure and sexual coercion from their masters, the power struggle between them, their mistresses attempt at inferring in their relationship, their eventual removal from their house, and their attempts at sharing the experience with family members and close friends. Block writes, “This contrast between

Domestic violence (DV) has and continues to affect millions of, women, men, children and the elderly every day. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, defines Domestic violence as, “hurtful, repeated and intentional behavior that one person uses to maintain power and control over another in an intimate relationship.” (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, n.d.) Abuse impacts many individuals from various backgrounds. Abuse comes in many forms, verbal, emotional, physical, sexual and, covers a wide range of tactics to establish and maintain power and control. A predominant form of DV is Intimate Partner Violence is also known as (IPV,) which affects millions of people every year, primarily women

Domestic violence is a devastating social problem. “Domestic violence is about one person getting and keeping power and control over another person in an intimate relationship. It is a pattern of behavior in which one intimate partner uses physical violence, coercion, threats, intimidation, isolation and emotional, sexual or economic abuse to control and change the behavior of the other partner (Despres,2009). Domestic violence is not just hitting or fighting or an occasional mean argument. It is a chronic abuse of power and a need for control. In every state there are laws that prohibit domestic violence but they vary from state to state. Domestic abuse is widespread and

This theory believes that an individual will choose criminal behavior by “free will” after weighing out the rewards and benefits verses the consequences or punishment for their behavior (Gosselin, 2005). In essence, the abuser will choose domestic violence as a means to the end since they feel control and domination is necessary in order to coexist within personal relationships. On the other hand, if the offender believes the risks outweigh the ability achieve personal gain, control, or satisfaction, he or she may choose not to commit the abuse (Schacter, et al., 2009). I believe this theory explains the restraint an abuser displays when they carefully select the type of abuse administered to their victims and the length of time they choose to enact the abuse. Most abusers will not openly abuse their victims in front of others in order to deter detection. Detection is not an option for most abusers, since they are familiar with the consequences of their actions.

The Power and Control Wheel is a diagram that was created based on life experiences of 200 battered women (Van Wormer & Bednar, 2002). Ellen Pence surrounded the Power and Control Wheel with different approaches men use to sustain power and control in the relationship besides physical violence. Ellen believed that men not only desired power and control, but also felt they had the privilege of deserving power and control due to their gender (Batered Women’s Justice Project, 2016). According to Ellen’s research through the 200 battered women, the methodologies that men use are: coercion and threats, intimidation, emotional abuse, isolation, minimizing, denying and blaming, using children, using male privilege, in addition to economic abuse (Van Wormer & Bednar, 2002).

Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 to an extent has added to the existing criminal remedies by focussing not just on the physicality of domestic violence but also the psychological aspect in terms of controlling and coercive behaviour (coercive meaning acts used to harm or frighten and controlling meaning acts used to make another subordinate by isolating and depriving them ). However, it has not significantly changed the rules of evidence in protecting victims of domestic violence. In this light, it can be argued that there are problems with the implementation of section 76 in that it does not fully protect victims of domestic violence.

Despite the fact the physical effects of domestic violence could be the similar as for other forms of violent crime, the emotional effects can be much worse. Domestic violence happens when a crime is committed against a victim by someone with whom the victim is or has previously found, in a close relationship or somebody living in the same household as the victim. Domestic violence regulations differ from state to state. These variances range from conceptualization to the requirements under required reporting laws. Because of all these differences, the entire process of avoidance a domestic violence situation rest on each state. The Violence

“Domestic violence is abuse or threats of abuse when the person being abused and the abuser are or have been in an intimate relationship” (California Courts, 2014).

This act of abuse is when the victim is being touched or sexual act is being preformed is unwanted. The abuser sometimes uses this tactic as a punishment. “Financial abuse is the use or misuse, without the partner’s freely given consent, of the financial or other monetary resources of the partner or of the partnership.” (Types of Domestic Abuse). The abuser will keep the victim(s) away from their jobs, which will cause them to lose money and eventually get fired. The abuser will also create conflict with the victim’s coworkers. They will also take the victim’s credit cards and will also take control of their bank account(s) and control their spending. “Identity abuse is using personal characteristics to demean, manipulate and control the partner…tactics overlap with other forms of abuse, particularly emotional abuse…comprised of the social “isms”, including racism, sexism, ageism, able-ism, beauty-ism, as well as homophobia.” (Type of Domestic Abuse). The abuser will stereotype the victims(s) by their ethnicity, race, sexuality, or gender. They will also humiliate them and judge them by their behavior and how they do things. This will also lower the victim’s self esteem and self confidence. These types of abuse are very dangerous psychologically and physically.

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior or coercive control in any relationship that is used by one person to gain or maintain power and control over another. (Violence). Most of society’s think domestic violence is when one of the spouses is abusing the other spouse. Domestic violence can occur between anyone who has lived together at one point of time; couples who have never lived together, but have a child together and family member who has live together in the same household. Domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless of their class, religion, ethnic background, education, age, gender, disability status, sexual orientation, gender presentation, or immigration status. The domestic violence can place in different categories, such as; emotional abuse, physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse and financial abuse. Researcher had discovered tactics that the abusers use to control their victims such as; dominance, humiliation, isolation, threats, intimidation, denial and shifting blame. (Helpguide.org).

Academically, Domestic violence is “the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats, and emotional or psychological abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence varies dramatically.” However, in Washington State Domestic Violence includes a more limited definition. In Washington State Domestic Violence is defined as (a) Physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury or assault, between family or household members; (b) sexual assault of one family or household member by another; or (c) stalking as defined in RCW 9A.46.110 of one family or household member by another family or household member. This statutory definition is similar to that of many states in that it omits the “systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against the other” otherwise known as “coercive control.” The omission of this provision in the statutory language creates difficulty in obtaining domestic violence protection orders, when the victim cannot describe instances of physical violence, stalking, or sexual assault, yet lives in very real fear of their partner. In this literature review, I will analyze the phenomenon that is now known as

“Domestic violence is a type of abuse by one or both partners in marriage, friends, family, dating or cohabitation” (Aziz & Mahmoud, 2010). There are many forms of abuse from verbal and emotional to physical that often escalates over time in intensity for the victim. Data from the criminal justice system, hospital patient medical records and mental health records, police reports, surveys and social services reports of thousands of women revealed that many are injured and killed as a result of violence from someone close to them. “The US Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) defines domestic violence as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender” (Robertson & Murachver, 2009). Researchers and the criminal justice system have not been able to agree on a clear definition to domestic violence which can range from physical injury, stalking, verbal abuse and humiliation, denial of shelter and access to money, and intimidation through aggressive behaviors. The definition of domestic violence may vary but the results from physical injury, mental and emotional trauma, and sometimes even death can last a life time.

This is considered negligence in the part the Department of police and Department of Health and Human Services because long term consequences can lead to irreversible mental disorder, suicidal thought, and loss of lives. Psychological abuse is the use of verbal and non-verbal communications with the intent of tormenting the other person emotionally. The abuser’s intent is to exert control over their opponent. Moreover, it includes bullying, threat to physical, or sexual control by manipulation and trying to humiliate their partner and make her feel worthless and doubt her own perception. Psychological intimate partner abuse can result in anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, physical illness suicidal thought and death. The verbal/emotional intimate type of abuse is subtle and difficult to accept, diagnosed, or treat. In addition, when a woman expresses concern about the abuse, the department of family services and the police department tend to ignore the verbal abuse (because it is not covered in the law), advising separation or saying, ‘until the walls break’, there is nothing they can do about it. It is one thing when someone is quiet-when a woman does not want to talk about her abuse, but quite another when she speaks up-when a victim of IPV begins calling 911 to express her frustration

In America most cases of Domestic Violence are never actually reported, many times these cases go unheard and the victims suffer in silence. The worn out cries of a battered woman as she lays on the ground clutching herself and begging her significant other to just stop. The bruises and cuts that remain unreported due to the victim claiming they accidentally fell yet again. The abusers tend to make the victim almost entirely dependable on them. An abuser will do this to gain control and to create a weaker victim, “behaviors used by one person in a relationship to control the other” (Par. 1, Definition). Control. The abuser seeks control over their victims. When their control is threatened they act out in ways harmful to others. Domestic