Coercive Control

Coercive control is a form of coercive, controlling, and threatening behaviour that includes some or all forms of abuse within a relationship (emotional, physical, financial, sexual—including threats of such abuse) by a boyfriend, partner, husband, or ex-partner.

Coercion and control harm a woman’s physical and emotional well-being.

COMMON SIGNS

If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, it may help you recognize signs of coercion and control:

• Do you feel isolated from friends and family?
• Does your partner deprive you of basic necessities such as food, electricity, or heating?
• Do you believe your partner is monitoring your online activities or has installed spyware on your phone, laptop, or other devices?
• Does he take control over various aspects of your daily life, such as where you can go, who you can see, what you can wear, when you must be home, or when you can sleep?
• Does he prevent you from accessing support services, such as specialized or medical support?
• Does he constantly tell you that you are worthless?
• Does he enforce rules or behaviours that humiliate, degrade, or dehumanize you?
• Does he force you to engage in criminal activities like shoplifting?
• Does your partner control the finances and prevent you from working or having your own money?
• Does he threaten to expose or publish private information about you, such as personal photos or videos, on the internet?

We can talk in more detail about your situation if you call the free helpline for women at 116 016, available on weekdays from 10 AM to 5 PM.