So instructive

Laura Richard’s explains coercive control in a way that makes it clear to anyone the dangers and crazy making events faced by victims of this behavior. This is especially true when uneducated or biased law enforcement officers (sworn to protect) show up on a scene and further victimize the victim. What makes this more tragic is, when you apply Laura’s guidance, coercive controllers are not hard to identify. In terms of “what’s in it for me” for law enforcement, when victims are believed it may result in them seeking help and ultimately leaving their controller sooner, thereby reducing the total number of interactions law enforcement will have with that victim. Also, identifying violent coercive controllers in your area may prove advantageous in other criminal cases. To all those in law enforcement who already understand this and respond appropriately, thank you. When society demands that everyone recognizes and then understands this behavior as potentially deadly, more lives will be saved. At a minimum, this must always include entry level law enforcement and those who mentor them. For that to happen local and state politician and religious and community leaders also have to champion this goal. For anyone who understands coercive control, has known a victim or witnessed someone exercising coercive control over another, please support movements and legislation that promote understanding, identifying and properly responding to coercive control. Having a method to identify coercive control has put it within our reach to greatly reduce a long standing societal failure. If you don’t understand coercive control please listen to Laura Richards - Crime Analyst and then count yourself among the fortunate.