09/14/2026
Coercive control is often not recognized yet this abuse has the same impact as physical abuse. Less recognized behaviours can consist of
- emotional abuse such as constant criticism
- degrading verbal abuse
- humiliation
- minimizing and denying the abuse
- monitoring activities
- Financial control
Behaviours are often continuous, cumulative, and repeated patterns of abuse over time aimed at maintaining power over an partner, rather than isolated incidents.
The abuse can originate from family members, common-law partners, dating partners, etc. It compromises a person’s independence and self-esteem.
Coercive control is formally recognized within the federal Divorce Act and provincial legislation like Ontario’s Children’s Law Reform Act
Coercive control is a pattern of behaviors an abuser utilizes to gain and maintain power by eroding the victim’s autonomy. This can be physical but can also include things like:
*Intimidation
*Threats
*Humiliation
*Monitoring activities
*Financial control
*Isolation
*Legal Abuse
*Sexual Coercion
*Weaponizing children (or pets)
Abusers know how to go right up to the line of physical abuse, but not cross it. Coercive control is real.
We have legal and coaching clients who discover they have been coercively controlled for years - often since the very beginning of their relationships. Leaving is just the first step since it takes time and healing to rediscover who you were before the abuse.
7 states have codified coercive control in the United States. We need to make coercive control part of the Criminal Code of Canada!
