What is Coercion?

Manipulation Tactic: Coercion

Category: Emotional Manipulation

Red Flag Indicators

Coercion is a form of pressure or manipulation used to compel an individual to act against their own free will.

Psychological Characteristics

Erosion of Autonomy: The core characteristic is the loss of the victim's self-determination—the ability to choose freely. The coercer aims to substitute the victim's goals with their own.

Fear and Intimidation: The tactics used instill a pervasive fear of the consequences of non-compliance, leading the victim to believe that the coerced action is the only safe option.

Loss of Control and Powerlessness: The victim experiences a significant loss of control over their life, daily decisions, and even their personal boundaries, leading to a sense of powerlessness or feeling "trapped."

Distorted Reality (Cognitive Impact): Tactics like Gaslighting (discussed below) are specifically designed to make the victim doubt their own perceptions, memories, and sanity, making them more reliant on the coercer's definition of reality.

Dependency and Isolation: Coercion often involves tactics to isolate the victim from their support network (friends, family, finances), making them increasingly dependent on the coercer for information, validation, and even basic needs.

Common Examples and Manipulation Tactics

Coercive Control, a sustained and intentional strategy to create a position of total control and dominance.

Isolation

Cutting Off Support: Restricting or forbidding contact with friends, family, or colleagues.

Constant Monitoring: Tracking the victim's location, checking their phone, or demanding constant updates on their whereabouts and activities.

Emotional/Verbal Abuse

Gaslighting: Making the victim question their sanity or reality ("That never happened," "You're too sensitive," "You're going crazy").

Humiliation/Insults: Persistent name-calling, belittling, or severe criticism, often in public, to destroy self-esteem.

Guilt and Obligation: Weaponizing a shared bond or love ("If you loved me, you would do this").

Threats & Intimidation

Conditional Threats: Threatening harm to the victim, loved ones, or pets for non-compliance.

Threatening Self-Harm: Threatening to commit suicide or self-harm to manipulate the victim's actions.

Smashing/Destroying Property: Using destructive behavior to instill fear and demonstrate potential for greater violence.

Financial Control

Economic Deprivation: Preventing the victim from getting or keeping a job, taking their pay, or placing them on a strict, inadequate allowance.

Restricting Access: Hiding joint finances or changing bank account passwords to render the victim financially dependent.

Control Over Autonomy

Regulating Daily Life: Dictating what the victim wears, when they can eat or sleep, or where they are allowed to go.

Reproductive Coercion: Controlling contraception use or pressuring the victim regarding pregnancy.

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