Coercive Control in Sexual and Domestic Violence
This webinar is primarily for social workers, mental health professionals, law enforcement personnel, and anyone involved in domestic violence support services. It may also appeal to professionals working in the family court system, such as attorneys, court professionals, and advocates.
Coercive control in domestic abuse involves a range of behaviors that erode the victim’s autonomy and self-esteem. This form of abuse, even when not accompanied by overt physical or sexual violence, can cause great harm to those who experience it. To effectively address and eradicate intimate partner violence, it is crucial for professionals to treat domestic abuse as an ongoing crime of coercive control—more like a long-term hostage situation than a series of physical assaults.
The ability of social work, mental health, and law enforcement professionals to recognize signs of coercive control is fundamentally important to the safety not only of those who are victimized, but of the larger community as well. Through enhanced recognition of coercive control tactics, professionals are better able to prevent further harm, provide support to those who have been harmed, and offer recommendations to court professionals and policymakers.
In this webinar, Dr. Fontes provides an exploration of the tactics associated with coercive control. She examines various methods used, including isolation, intimidation, monitoring, and gaslighting, as well as forms of abuse such as verbal, financial, legal, and sexual abuse. By introducing attendees to these strategies, Dr. Fontes aims to help them effectively recognize and address the complex dynamics of domestic abuse and coercive control. This introductory discussion, hosted by David Prescott, serves as a foundational step toward building awareness among professionals.
Who's Presenting
Lisa Aronson Fontes, PhD
Lisa Aronson Fontes, PHD, is an author, activist and senior lecturer at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Dr. Fontes conducts research and provides expert witness testimony in the areas of sexual violence and coercive relationships. She has authored three books: Invisible Chains: Overcoming Coercive Control in Your Intimate Relationship; Interviewing Clients Across Cultures: A Practitioner’s Guide; and Child Abuse and Culture: Working with Diverse Families, all published by Guilford Press. She also edited the book, Sexual Abuse in Nine North American Cultures. Her books have sold over 50,000 copies, and been translated into Spanish, Korean, Japanese, and two forms of Chinese.