Service provider difficulties in operationalising coercive control

Brennan, I. R., Burton, V., Gormally, S. and O'Leary, N. (2019) Service provider difficulties in operationalising coercive control. Violence Against Women, 25(6), pp. 635-653. (doi: 10.1177/1077801218797478)

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Abstract

We examined perspectives of social workers, police officers, and specialist domestic abuse practitioners about their perceived ability and organizational readiness to respond effectively to incidents of coercive and controlling behavior. Interviews revealed intervention and risk assessment strategies structured around an outdated, maladaptive concept of domestic abuse as an unambiguous and violent event and frontline services that lacked appreciation of the power dynamics inherent in controlling relationships. The analysis demonstrates how lack of definitional clarity around nonphysical domestic abuse can increase the use of discretion by frontline services and, by extension, increase the discounting of coercive control by pressured frontline officers.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This article was undertaken with financial support from a Criminal Justice Board in England, whose name has been withheld at our discretion to maintain anonymity.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Gormally, Professor Sinead
Authors: Brennan, I. R., Burton, V., Gormally, S., and O'Leary, N.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Social Justice Place and Lifelong Education
College of Social Sciences > School of Education > People, Place & Social Change
Journal Name:Violence Against Women
Publisher:SAGE Publications
ISSN:1077-8012
ISSN (Online):1552-8448
Published Online:21 September 2018
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2018 The Authors
First Published:First published in Violence Against Women 25(6): 635-653
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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