What is Coercive Control?

Coercive control is not a single act of abuse, but a persistent pattern of behaviors aimed at depriving someone of autonomy, liberty, and agency. It can include psychological, emotional, financial, cultural, spiritual, and sometimes physical or sexual abuse, though physical violence is not required for coercive control to occur. The behaviors are often subtle, repetitive, and cumulative, making them difficult to recognize early on.

US Law Explained

Coercive Control: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding and Escaping Hidden Abuses.

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Domesticshelters.org

Learn how new and varied laws across states offer some protection to victims of coercive control domestic abuse

By Lisa Aronson Fontes, PhD

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Coercive control is a strategic, ongoing form of abuse that entraps victims in a relationship where their freedom and autonomy are systematically undermined. Recognizing the signs early, understanding the patterns, and seeking support from specialized services are crucial steps for anyone affected by this form of abuse.

Examples of Coercive Control

Isolation from friends, family, or support networks
Monitoring and surveillance, such as tracking movements or communication
Gaslighting or manipulating someone’s perception of reality
Financial control, restricting access to money or resources
Threats, intimidation, or emotional manipulation to enforce compliance
Love bombing, a manipulative tactic where someone overwhelms another person with excessive affection, attention, gifts, or rapid declarations of love to gain control
Spiritual control or religious authority using their influence, sacred language, and the victim’s own conscience to manipulate, dominate, and restrict their freedom — often under the guise of divine will or religious duty

These behaviors are often tailored to the victim and can escalate over time, sometimes leading to physical violence. The first steps in ending coercive control will be to support the survivor and putting laws in effect that hold the abusers accountable.

What is Coercive Control?

Learn how new and varied laws across states offer some protection to victims of coercive control domestic abuse

Domestic and Family Violence Hotline for South Carolina

Examples of Coercive Control

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