Beyond bruises: Coercive control in intimate partner violence

Last month, I penned an article about intimate partner violence (IPV), in which I briefly introduced coercive control as one of the most devastating forms of abuse. This phenomenon requires further exploration to underscore the profound psychological toll it takes on victims. Coercive control occurs in various settings (e.g., a parental figure abusing their child, an adult child exerting power over a dependent parent, or multiple perpetrators targeting a single individual, as seen in school bullying). However, this article will exclusively focus on the context of IPV, with particular attention given to women victims, and provide readers with a deeper and more nuanced understanding of this highly destructive form of abuse.

Coercive control refers to an array of manipulative and harmful behaviors that abusers routinely employ to deprive victims of autonomy and self-determination, ultimately conditioning them to be completely submissive. Common tactics include gaslighting, monitoring, stalking, isolation, degradation, financial control, property damage, coercion of criminal activity, sexual, spiritual and physical abuse, as well as homicidal threats. Unlike physical violence, which is often episodic and easily identifiable, coercive control operates in more subtle and insidious ways, making it difficult for victims to recognize and substantiate. Consequently, seeking help often becomes an uphill battle, forcing victims to shoulder the burden of proving their suffering.

As noted by Dr. Emma Katz, a world-leading domestic violence expert, coercive control differs from situational couple violence in that the former is one-sided and pervasive. In situational couple violence, both partners may engage in physical aggression during heated disputes as a reactive means of expressing frustration. Conversely, coercive control is rooted in a power imbalance, methodically engineered by the perpetrator to instill fear and enforce submission. While many women present with visible injuries as a result of physical violence (e.g., bruises and broken bones, to name a few), those subjected to coercive control endure rigid and relentless restrictions on their ordinary freedoms, with nearly every aspect of their daily activities micromanaged — including whom they interact with, what they wear, how much they spend and even when and how they are allowed to express their emotions. Any deviation from these unspoken rules brings punishment.

Research on IPV indicates that approximately one-third of coercive control cases occur without accompanying physical abuse. This absence of visible injuries helps perpetrators sidestep external scrutiny, reduce the likelihood of intervention and prevent victims from seeking support. Any disruption — whether through outside help or a resurgence of self-determination within the victim — is perceived as a direct threat to their meticulously constructed system of power and dominance. For these individuals, maintaining absolute control is their ultimate objective. Consequently, when the perpetrators sense their control slipping, they may escalate to physical violence as a calculated mechanism to reassert dominance and reinforce subjugation.

Although the onus for self-regulation rests solely with the perpetrators, victims often feel compelled to vigilantly monitor and adjust their words and behaviors so as not to trigger the perpetrator. Living in this perpetual state of fear and entrapment causes severe psychological distress. Research shows that prolonged exposure to coercive control for as little as 15 months increases the risk of mental health conditions (i.e., anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD and complex PTSD). Similarly, women who experience coercive control alongside physical violence are significantly more likely to experience suicidal thoughts compared to those who are subjected to physical violence alone. Coercive control systematically and chronically erodes a victim’s personhood, fostering hopelessness and despair.

According to the Korean Women’s Development Institute, as of 2024, there were 63 women’s shelters nationwide for domestic violence victims. These shelters provide essential support services, including meals, housing, legal and medical services, counseling and vocational training, to help survivors rebuild resilience and regain independence. However, due to limited resources, these services tend to focus on physical safety and crisis management while overlooking the profound psychological trauma caused by coercive control. While secure environments are crucial, the cumulative and multidimensional impact of coercive control requires a more holistic, long-term, trauma-informed approach to facilitate genuine healing. Achieving this necessitates data-driven policy development and enhanced practitioner-training initiatives.

Despite being the most widespread form of abuse in IPV, coercive control remains largely absent from our legal systems and public discourse. To effectively support victims, we must expand our understanding of abuse beyond physical harm and acknowledge coercive control as equally harmful and dangerous — if not more so. Such a shift in perspective is critical for developing specialized interventions that address the complex challenges survivors face. By exposing the bondage of coercive control, we can pave the way to freedom and healing for those who need our help.

Ma Kyung-hee is an editor and researcher specializing in mental health.