Beyond bruises: Coercive control in intimate partner violence ()

Last month, I penned an article about intimate partner violence (IPV), in which I briefly introduced coercive control as one of the most devastating forms of abuse. This phenomenon requires further exploration to underscore the profound psychological toll it takes on victims. Coercive control occurs in various settings (e.g., a parental figure abusing their child, an adult child exerting power over a dependent parent, or multiple perpetrators targeting a single individual, as seen in school bullying). However, this article will exclusively focus on the context of IPV, with particular attention given to women victims, and provide readers with a deeper and more nuanced understanding of this highly destructive form of abuse.