Coercive Control, Violence and Abuse — Hidden Dynamics In Relationships
Peering behind the curtain of family dynamics, one quickly discovers that issues like coercive control, violence, and abuse do not just reside in the confines of dark alleyways or the pages of thriller novels.
Rather, they seep silently into the fabrics of our society, permeating households and relationships — too often unnoticed and unacknowledged.
These issues, in their myriad of forms, shape the dynamics of relationships. For some (for too many), power and control supersede love and trust.
It’s an area that social science research — and our wider societies — are only truly beginning to understand.
We know that these tend to be gendered issues though.
And we know that there is gender bias in our how these issues are often perceived and dealt with.
Coercive Control & Invisible Chains
Coercive control, a relatively recently developed term, represents a complex mesh of abusive behaviours that collectively weave an intricate trap, ensnaring victims in an almost imperceptible grip of fear, dependence, and oppression.
Unlike the blatant evidence of physical violence, the impact of coercive control lies beneath the surface…
