Coercive Control Laws: A Crucial Step Towards Protection, But With a Critical Shortcoming

In the ongoing efforts to combat intimate partner abuse, 10 states have established coercive control laws. These laws aim to recognize and regulate the behaviors that are indicative of coercive control, such as isolating someone from family and friends, controlling finances, and monitoring daily activities. However, despite this progress, there is a critical gap in these laws – the inclusion of psychological abuse.

Source: cdn2.psychologytoday.com

Psychological abuse, often referred to as coercive tactics, is a form of abuse that targets a person’s thoughts, feelings, and perception. It is a subtle and insidious form of abuse that can be difficult to identify and, therefore, often overlooked. The consequences of psychological abuse can be devastating, leading to a loss of trust in one’s own perception and judgment, as well as a loss of self.

The importance of recognizing and addressing psychological abuse cannot be overstated. It is essential that we acknowledge the harm that it causes and work towards creating laws that protect survivors from this form of abuse. By doing so, we can provide them with the support and resources they need to recover and rebuild their lives.

The Coercive Control Laws: What They Include and What They Miss

The coercive control laws identified by WomensLaw (2025) include the following behaviors:

• Isolating someone from family, friends, or support networks.
• Controlling finances, profitable resources, or access to work opportunities.
• Monitoring daily activities, behaviors, or electronic communications.
• Depriving someone of basic needs, sleep, or medical attention.
• Threats of harm to children, relatives, or pets.

While these behaviors are serious and harmful, they only scratch the surface of the complex issue of coercive control. The laws fail to address the psychological tactics used by abusers to control and manipulate their partners.

The Hidden Dangers of Psychological Abuse

Psychological abuse is a form of abuse that is often overlooked, but it is just as damaging as physical or emotional abuse. It can lead to a loss of trust in oneself, a loss of identity, and a loss of autonomy. The consequences of psychological abuse can be long-lasting and devastating, affecting not only the survivor but also their loved ones.

When a coercive control law identifies behaviors but not the tactics of psychological abuse, the serious harm of psychological abuse gets overlooked. This is a critical shortcoming, as it fails to provide survivors with the support and resources they need to recover and rebuild their lives.

Recognizing the Coercive Tactics of Psychological Abuse

Recognizing the coercive tactics of psychological abuse is essential in providing support and resources to survivors. By identifying the tactics used by abusers, survivors can begin to see their coercive partner realistically and take steps towards recovery. This process of recovery is reconnecting with a sense of self, feeling whole again, and gaining confidence in trusting their own perception.

It is crucial that we work towards creating laws that protect survivors from psychological abuse. By doing so, we can provide them with the support and resources they need to recover and rebuild their lives.

In conclusion, while the establishment of coercive control laws is a crucial step towards protecting survivors, there is a critical gap in these laws – the inclusion of psychological abuse. It is essential that we acknowledge the harm that psychological abuse causes and work towards creating laws that protect survivors from this form of abuse.