Coercive control: What is it?

Coercive control became an offence on 29 December, 2015. Many of us have experienced a form of coercive control but haven’t realised it. What separates one of the actions we’ll look at below, with it being coercive, is why it’s done. If it’s done in order to manipulate you and control you, you can be pretty sure it’s coercive behaviour.

The Cambridge English dictionary describes coercive control as:

Control of another person’s behaviour by using force or threats or by causing fear

In the context of a relationship, it can be defined as: any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.

The Government’s definition outlines the following;

• Coercive behaviour is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim
• Controlling behaviour is a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour

Coercive behaviours to look out for

As you can see, there are many things that are considered as coercive and controlling behaviour. As with many types of behaviour, there are things you can look out for. Here is a list of some of the most commonly seen:
• Obsessively texting, calling and emailing you and then getting angry or accusing you if you don’t respond immediately.
• isolating you from friends and family. Saying things like, “your mum doesn’t like me, let’s not see her today”
• always wanting to see and talk to you. Not letting you have your own space
• stopping you from working or going to school/college/university
• getting upset when you text or hang out with other people
• accusing you of flirting or cheating all the time
• pressuring you to do things you don’t want to do. Such as engaging in sexual activity when you don’t want to, or sharing or threatening to share, naked photos online
• monitoring or controlling your social media accounts and insisting on knowing who you are talking to. They might insist you ”unfriend” people of the opposite sex
• tracking your location via GPS
• rushing the relationship’s pace
• saying things like “If you loved me, you would…”
• Threats to hurt you, your family or pets if you don’t comply
• Putting you down, saying things like “you’re useless, no one else would want you, no one else could love you”
• Forcing you to take part in criminal activity, like shoplifting. Neglect or abuse of children to encourage self-blame and prevent disclosure to authorities