Understanding Coercive Control: A Call for Social Worker Training
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Chapter 1: The Importance of Training in Coercive Control
This week, Nicole Jacobs, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, expressed her astonishment at the findings in a BBC article titled "Social workers lack training to tackle domestic abuse." She advocates for mandatory training focused on coercive control for all social workers. As an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA), I wholeheartedly support this initiative—it's vital for social workers to enhance their comprehension of coercive control.
In the BBC article, one social worker mentioned that 90% of her cases involve psychological and controlling abuse. She lamented that her training provided little insight into domestic abuse. Reactions to the article on LinkedIn revealed that many social workers share similar sentiments; they feel unprepared to identify the signs and assist victims effectively.
While continuous training throughout a professional's career is essential to address knowledge gaps, it is unacceptable for universities to produce graduates who are ill-equipped to recognize coercive control in their work with children and families.
What exactly is coercive control?
The term was introduced by sociologist and forensic social worker Evan Stark in 2007, in his book How Men Entrap Women in Personal Life (preview available here). Coercive control encompasses a series of actions, including assault, threats, humiliation, intimidation, and other forms of abuse, intended to harm or instill fear in the victim (Women's Aid).
This type of manipulation is designed to dominate the victim, confining them within the relationship and placing them entirely at the mercy of the perpetrator. Notably, physical violence is not a requirement; the mere threat to the victim or their loved ones can serve as a powerful tool of intimidation.
In her book In Control — Dangerous Relationships and How They End in Murder, former police officer and esteemed professor of public protection Jane Monckton Smith refers to coercive control as intimate terrorism. This characterization is fitting. My understanding of coercive control deepened during my IDVA training and specialized workshops. It became especially evident during my time as a hospital IDVA, where I witnessed firsthand the profound impact coercive control has on victims.
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In my role, I frequently encounter clients immediately following traumatic incidents. Some arrive after severe physical assaults, while others are facing the aftermath of suicide attempts. I meet these individuals at their most vulnerable moments, grappling with their deepest fears.
One case that profoundly affected me involved a young woman who attempted suicide, not out of a desire to die, but because she felt trapped by her abuser. He engaged in relentless psychological manipulation, pushing her to the brink. When she tried to take an overdose, he was there, mocking her and urging her to consume more pills. Ultimately, he called for help, perhaps because he was not ready to relinquish his control over her.
Despite her traumatic disclosures, including emotional abuse and coercive control, she requested to leave the hospital with her partner. This experience left a lasting mark on me, making me question my effectiveness as an IDVA. The fear that she might succeed in her next attempt remains a haunting concern.
You might wonder why she chose to return to her abuser. The answer lies in the grip of coercive control. She felt ensnared in a relationship that would require more than just professional intervention to escape. It was crucial for her to understand that she had options, including applying for a non-molestation order and receiving trauma-informed support.
Loyalty Code
As the relationship progresses, the abuser often imposes a loyalty code that dictates the victim's behavior and choices. This strategy involves isolating the victim from their friends and controlling their appearance under the guise of concern.
The loyalty code emerges subtly, where the victim faces a choice between their own desires and the abuser's demands. Initially, the victim may perceive these choices as voluntary. However, as the situation escalates, this code becomes deeply entrenched, leading victims to remain silent about their abuser, even when intervention is necessary.
Coercive control often operates invisibly, making it challenging for victims to trust that their experiences will be believed.
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Recognizing the Signs
Recent training I undertook, including the Homicide Timeline and related studies by Professor Monckton Smith, emphasizes the critical need for social workers to understand the escalation of coercive control. The Homicide Timeline outlines eight stages where coercive control can culminate in murder. IDVAs should utilize this framework during risk assessments to gauge the potential danger posed by abusers.
It's disheartening that fields like social work, which engage with families daily, lack comprehensive education on coercive control. Many victims may be on their caseload without the professionals realizing it. Untrained individuals might inadvertently exacerbate risks for victims and their children.
To conclude, domestic abuse is not solely defined by physical violence. Numerous victims of domestic homicide have never experienced physical assaults from their abusers. The most dangerous type of abuser is one who employs coercive control. Without an understanding of this concept, professionals will struggle to protect victims and confront abusers effectively.
© 2024 Britanny Levy, All Rights Reserved.
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