Coercive Control
Coercive Control
Coercive control is an act or a pattern of acts of either assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm or frighten or punish a victim.
Coercive control is often done behind closed doors so other people do not see what is happening. A victim can be isolated from friends and family and access to finances can be kept from them.
Confusion and fear add to this control and many victims don’t recognise what is happening to them due to their perpetrator controlling many aspects of their life.
Common examples of coercive control are:
- Isolating you from friends and family
- Depriving you of basic needs, such as food
- Monitoring your time
- Monitoring you via online communication tools or spyware
- Taking control over aspects of your everyday life, such as where you can go, who you can see, what you can wear and when you can sleep
- Depriving you access to support services, such as medical services
- Repeatedly putting you down, such as saying you're worthless
- Humiliating, degrading or dehumanising you
- Controlling your finances
- Making threats or intimidating you
Coercive control is now against the law and the Police can prosecute the perpetrator. If you feel this is happening to you then please contact the police or a domestic abuse helpline.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247 – www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ (run by Refuge)
The Men’s Advice Line, for male domestic abuse survivors – 0808 801 0327 (run by Respect)
The Mix, free information and support for under 25s in the UK – 0808 808 4994
National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800 999 5428 (run by Galop)
Samaritans (24/7 service) – 116 123
