Coercive Control Is Abuse campaign

About the campaign

Coercive Control Is Abuse is a campaign to highlight the actions and behaviours used by abusers to harm, punish or frighten survivors.

Coercive control are continuous patterns of behaviour that intend to exercise power over a survivor. It’s used by abusers to isolate survivors and make you dependent on them.

Statistics taken from a​​​ 2023 survey with survivors in Jersey show that:

• ​over 85% of survivors surveyed had experienced emotional or psychological abuse
• 85% of survivors surveyed had experienced jealous and controlling behaviour
• over 57% of survivors surveyed reported experiencing financial or economic abuse​

​​VAWG Taskforce Report​​

Examples of coercive control

It can be difficult for survivors and those around them to recognise coercive control, because the tactics used by abusers can be subtle.

Coercive control can include:​

• keeping checks on what you spend, where you are or monitoring your phone or emails
• controlling your appearance and repeatedly putting you down
• isolating you from your family, friends or work colleagues
• depriving you of your basic needs
• monitoring you through online communication tools or using spyware
• depriving you of access to support services, like specialist support or medical services
• taking your wages, benefits or allowances
• preventing you from having access to transport or from working 
• disclosing your private medical information without consent
  

How to help someone

If someone tells you they are being controlled or coerced, it’s important to let the person know that you believe them and that you're there to support them. 

They may find it difficult to describe what is happening, or what they are afraid of. The impact of coercive control can be wide ranging.

It’s important not to pressure the person who is experiencing abuse, as they need to make their own decisions in their own time. 

You could:

• ​offer to ring a helpline to find out about support
• let them know you are always there to talk to them, in confidence
• suggest that they keep a diary of events to help gather evidence of the abuse, if it’s safe for them to do so

Get support

If you’re experiencing coercive control, you can seek help and support from:

• Jersey Domestic and Sexual Abuse Support (JDAS): +44 (0) 1534 880505
• FREEDA Outreach Team: +44 (0) 1534 735 6836
• in an emergency, call States of Jersey Police: 999
  

Find more information on how you can access specialist support services​.