Identifying Coercive Control
Coercive control in diverse communities can have unique cultural and religious aspects that may make it challenging to identify. It is important to approach this topic in a manner that embraces sensitivity, promotes understanding, and respects the diverse cultural contexts involved.
Some ways this might manifest include:
- Concerns about family reputation: In some cultures, there may be a strong emphasis on family honour. An abuser might exploit this by suggesting that seeking help or leaving would negatively impact the family's standing in the community.
- Extended family dynamics: In cultures where extended family living arrangements or involvement are common, abuse may involve multiple family members. This could include unreasonable demands, emotional manipulation, or restricting independence. It's important to note that while these living arrangements or involvement are traditional in many cultures, at times the intensity of the behaviours can lead to coercive control or other forms of abuse.
Example: An abuser might misinterpret or misuse religious or cultural teachings to justify controlling behaviour.
This could look like:
- Demanding daughter-in-law to do all the household chores on her own as well as giving all of her earnings to her father and mother-in-law.
- Extended family members demean the daughter-in-law by constantly making fun of her cooking or way of dressing.