Coercive control is more subtle, but it’s no less serious.
“The goal is to dominate the victim’s thoughts, emotions, and actions,” she adds.
Coercive control is abuse and someone in a situation involving it may need help getting out.
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We’ll walk you through the steps.
At a Glance
Coercive control can present subtly, but it’s a serious matter.
Fortunately, resources are available.
In turn, “the victim becomes increasingly isolated from friends, family, and other social connections.”
Gaslighting
Gaslightingis a form of manipulation.
It’s a tactic in which someone claims that reality is different from how the victim is perceiving it.
When someone tells us our version of reality is wrong, we can quickly grow distraught.
“The victim often second-guesses themselves and struggles to trust their own judgment,” Hafeez adds.
That dependence can prevent them from being able to leave.
The truth, though, is that people of all genders can be abusers.
These are common outcomes of coercive control.
Available Support Services
If you are a victim of coercive control, help is available for you.
If possible, reaching out to your loved ones is also a good idea.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Hawaii is the only state that has managed to successfully criminalize the act of it.
Hafeez offers us four ways we can avoid becoming victims of coercive control.
Educating ourselves about domestic abuse and what the warning signs of it are is very helpful.
Someone who treats others poorly is highly unlikely to treat you well in the long run.
Set and Respect Boundaries
Both having and respecting boundaries is key to healthy relationships.
Know what your own boundaries are, and set them firmly.
Hafeez recommends that you “establish clear boundariesin your relationships and communicate them openly.”
It is equally important to listen closely to your partner’s boundaries, and to respect them fully.
Hafeez recommends you take time to slowly get to know a person first.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Intimate Partner Violence in the United States 2010.
Bill Text - SB-1141Domestic violence: coercive control.
Coercive control bill tracker |americas conference to end coercive contr.The ACECC.
