The Use of Chemical Control Within Coercive Controlling Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse.

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Public Health
• Criminology

Background:

• Intimate partner violence (IPV) encompasses various forms of abuse.
• Coercive control is a pattern of behavior used to harm, punish, or frighten victims.
• Chemical control, a less-understood tactic, involves the nonconsensual use of substances to exert power.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the use of chemical control within coercive controlling intimate partner violence.
• To identify specific tactics perpetrators employ through chemical control.
• To enhance understanding of evolving domestic abuse dynamics and inform interventions.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study based on testimonies.
• Inclusion of 37 victim-survivors of domestic abuse.
• Inclusion of nine UK-based domestic abuse practitioners.

Main Results:

• Identification of diverse chemical control tactics used by perpetrators.
• Demonstration of how substances reduce victim-survivor independence, freedom, and health.
• Highlighting the adaptive nature of domestic abuse tactics.

Conclusions:

• Chemical control is a significant, albeit under-recognized, method in coercive intimate partner violence.
• Understanding these tactics is crucial for developing effective support and policy.
• Further research and practitioner training are needed to address this form of abuse.