In the beginning

What was meant for evil turned to good.

“You plotted evil against me, but God turned it into good, in order to preserve the lives of many people who are alive today because of what happened,” Genesis 50:20,

Reminds us that even in the face of evil, good can arise. However, this does not mean we should be complacent in the face of injustice.

I believe of all the abuses that victims endure especially coercive control is a form of domestic
abuse that has a devastating impact on the victim’s life, limiting their human rights and creating
an environment of fear and confusion.

Despite being criminalized in 2015, perpetrators have yet to feel the full force of the law, with
very few cases resulting in charges or convictions.
It is crucial to recognize the signs of coercive control and take action to support victims.

We, as a society, must work together to ensure that those who carry out this appalling crime are held
accountable for their actions and that victims receive the support and justice they deserve. Only
then can we truly say that we are working towards a society where women and children are safe
from domestic abuse.

A Very Civil Matter: Professional Abuse very much highlights Coercive control is a form of
domestic abuse, that creates invisible chains, limiting the victim’s ability for action and depriving
them of their liberties. It is a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation, and intimidation used
to harm, punish, or frighten the victim.

The victims, including children, becomes captive in a
world of confusion, and contradiction. Examples of Coercive behavior include isolating the victim from friends and family, depriving them of basic needs such as food, monitoring their time and online communication, controlling aspects of everyday life, and depriving them of access to support services.

Perpetrators may also repeatedly put the victim down, humiliate, degrade, or dehumanize them, control their
finances, make threats, or intimidate them.

Less than 1% of domestic abuse-related offenses recorded by the police were classified as
coercive control, and even fewer resulted in charges or convictions. As a result, victims continue
to suffer, and the full impact of this appalling crime remains to be felt. Abuse in full sight.

It is essential to recognize the signs of coercive control and take action to support victims. If you
or someone you know is experiencing coercive behavior, seek help from support services or the
authorities. No one deserves to be held captive in an unreal world of terror and confusion.

A Very Civil Matter: Professional Abuse raises situations that seem unreal but to victims are like walking through the repeated cycle of uncertainty and horror. The very same professionals that are there to protect the vulnerable are being used to dismiss, repel, and discard victims genuine experience of domestic abuse and violence always coupled with Coercive Control.