We advocates have recognized that violence takes many forms and serves as a means of control and domination, whether or not physical violence is present. Recently, there has been a growing effort to distinguish coercive control from physical violence and situational couple violence, which I fully support.
It is also crucial to challenge the perception that a survivor’s resistance equates to “mutual violence.” Many involved in survivor support still struggle to grasp these distinctions.
In Japan, a legal amendment now includes psychological violence—threats to freedom, honor, and property—as grounds for protection orders. Courts can also issue protection orders for psychological harm requiring medical treatment. However, its effectiveness in addressing coercive control remains unclear. Like the UK, Japan needs a law specifically targeting coercive control.
Well done and thank you Emma. You capture the essence of CC so well, and write with integrity and compassion. A heartfelt thank you from me.
This is a very helpful description of the difference between situational violence and coercive control. Thank you.
We advocates have recognized that violence takes many forms and serves as a means of control and domination, whether or not physical violence is present. Recently, there has been a growing effort to distinguish coercive control from physical violence and situational couple violence, which I fully support.
It is also crucial to challenge the perception that a survivor’s resistance equates to “mutual violence.” Many involved in survivor support still struggle to grasp these distinctions.
In Japan, a legal amendment now includes psychological violence—threats to freedom, honor, and property—as grounds for protection orders. Courts can also issue protection orders for psychological harm requiring medical treatment. However, its effectiveness in addressing coercive control remains unclear. Like the UK, Japan needs a law specifically targeting coercive control.
Thank you for this excellent article.
I’ve subscribed for a year - thank you. Your work is very much appreciated, as are you.
Thank you so much Linda
Thank you for the discussion!
Thank you Andrew