Friend or foe: Scoping review findings on policing and coercive control

What is it about?

Coercive control is a form of intimate partner violence that involves non-physical behaviors used to control and trap a partner. This type of abuse is particularly relevant in LGBTQ+ relationships, where abusers may target their partners' gender and sexual identity. It can be difficult for victims, community members, and service providers to identify and address this form of abuse. Despite calls to criminalize coercive control, there is little understanding of how the police respond to it. Our review suggests that more research is needed on LGBTQ+ survivors of coercive control and their efforts to seek help, as laws to criminalize coercive control may not effectively support LGBTQ+ communities.

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Photo by Jordan McDonald on Unsplash

Photo by Jordan McDonald on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Our findings revealed that LGBTQ+ individuals are hesitant to report coercive control to the police due to reasons such as not recognizing it as abuse and fearing law enforcement. We observed low reporting rates and challenges in differentiating police responses to coercive control from responses to physical abuse. Additionally, experiences of police harassment and violence were found to increase the risk of coercive control. Future research should prioritize specific measures of coercive control and consider broader help-seeking options beyond the police. It is crucial to carefully assess the potential harm from the criminal justice system before advocating for the criminalization of coercive control, as it may not benefit LGBTQ+ communities and survivors.