A battered women's movement perspective of Coercive Control

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Criminology
• Feminist Studies

Background:

• Domestic violence is often understood primarily through physical harm.
• Evan Stark's work, "Coercive Control," challenges this narrow view.
• The concept of coercive control emphasizes the systematic erosion of a victim's autonomy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze Evan Stark's concept of "coercive control" in abusive relationships.
• To evaluate the implications of this reframing for battered women's activism and support.
• To explore how understanding domestic violence as coercive control impacts legal and policy approaches.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of Evan Stark's "Coercive Control."
• Review of existing literature on domestic violence and feminist theory.
• Discussion of practical applications for battered women's advocates and programs.

Main Results:

• Stark's concept reframes domestic violence as a means to destroy women's autonomy and reinstate patriarchy.
• This reframing suggests changes in legal defense, support services, and law enforcement.
• The battered women's movement may need to recommit to feminist goals of freedom and equality.

Conclusions:

• Stark's "coercive control" offers a valuable lens for advocates, potentially improving some program practices.
• However, this conceptual shift may also complicate public mobilization for addressing woman abuse.
• Effective strategies require integrating individual safety with broader feminist objectives for equality.