Coercive control: Recognising relational patterns that affect patient wellbeing

Coercive control is a pattern of behaviour that occurs in relationships and families that is enabled by broader coercive control systems in the community. General practitioners, skilled at pattern recognition, can contribute to systems-wide identification of coercive control across the lifespan.

This article uses the Sense of Safety Theoretical Framework to name processes that build sense of safety in healthy relationships. It therefore enables recognition of patterns of coercive control that destroy safety.

Identifying coercive control is a key early intervention strategy for addressing domestic and family violence. Patterns of repeated invasion, confusion and isolation cause threat and enable coercive control by destroying freedom, clarity and belonging. Raising awareness of these patterns helps general practitioners to identify previously hidden processes that cause harm to the physical, emotional and social health of our community.