Coercive Controllers Weaponize Children – Research Shows
This coercive control research shows what domestic abuse advocates and survivors of coercive control have known all along… that one of the abuser’s most powerful weapons to harm his partner or ex-partner is to weaponize the children. It seem counter-intuitive that a father would knowingly hurt his kids to get back at his ex, but that’s exactly what happens […]
Coercive Control / Domestic Abuse Homicide / Domestic Abuse Suicide
I was struck by this poem (below) at the beginning of the Vulnerability Knowledge and Practice Programme (VKPP) Domestic Homicides and Suspected Victim Suicides 2021-2022Year 2 Report. Why? Probably because it rang so true for me as a coercive control survivor and expert in coercive control. I have, many times, felt the hopelessness and helplessness of coercive control […]
Coercive Control is Invisible in Plain Sight
The signs of #coercivecontrol are #InvisibleInPlainSight. These grieving family members are most likely telling the truth when they say there was “no warning sign”. But I would be willing to bet that there were signs of coercive control. The family members just didn’t know what to look for. It’s not their fault they missed it. Most everyone […]
Systemic Coercive Control
Every day I read articles of victim/survivors and targets of abuse and coercive control being failed by the system. The media tends to characterize the level of corruption, misogyny, racism etc. in these stories as “shocking”. However, what is most frightening thing about these cases of systemic coercive control is that they are not “shocking”. […]
Surviving Family Court in the UK
I ran across this article this morning while working on my coercive control research study. Family court can be extremely re-traumatizing for victims of domestic violence, domestic abuse and coercive control. While this article on surviving family court was written for survivors in England and Wales, many of the suggestions are applicable to domestic abuse and coercive […]
New books by Dr. Katz and Prof. Jane Monckton Smith
Two of my favorite researchers on coercive control and domestic abuse are releasing new books. Dr. Emma Katz specializes in research on the coercive control of children and Professor Jane Monckton Smith researches intimate partner homicide, which is intimately connected with coercive control. Monckton Smith’s research on the 8 stages of domestic homicide is an absolute must-read […]
Coercive Control Research Study Opens!
I am excited and THRILLED to announce that my MSc dissertation research study is open for participation! If you care about reducing, preventing and/or intervening in coercive control, domestic abuse or cults, this research presents a great opportunity to expand your own knowledge, as well as help forward research that may eventually transform policies and […]
Daily Inspiration
With the world in what seems like constant turmoil, and the majority of my focus on my son and my research, I am continuing to take a break from blogging. However, I will share things from time to time. This video inspired me. Perhaps it will inspire you too.
End Coercive Control USA (ECCUSA) Update
I founded End Coercive Control USA in the fall of 2019 after reading Evan Stark’s book “Coercive Control: How Men Entrap Women in Personal Life”. Having been a victim and survivor of domestic abuse as a child and then as an adult, Stark’s book on coercive control resonated with me in a way that no other […]
Sally Challen Appeal Prompts Re-Opening of Murder Cases
Sally Challen’s case drew a lot of attention in the UK, because she killed her husband by hitting him in the head repeatedly with a hammer. Her case seemed open and shut, and she was convicted of murder. But at her original trial, her husband’s coercive and controlling behaviors were never raised. Coercive control was […]