How We Help

Coercive control is a pattern of behavior used by an individual to dominate, manipulate, and intimidate another person in a relationship. It's characterized by a wide range of tactics aimed at undermining the victim's autonomy, self-esteem, and freedom. This can include psychological manipulation, isolation from friends and family, financial control, and threats of violence. Coercive controllers often exert their power gradually, making it difficult for the victim to recognize the extent of the abuse until it becomes pervasive and overwhelming. It's a form of domestic abuse that leaves lasting emotional and psychological scars, often trapping victims in a cycle of fear and dependence.

Parental alienation is a complex psychological phenomenon where one parent manipulates a child to reject their other parent using coercive control techniques. This often happens during or after a divorce or separation, although parents can effectively use alienating tactics while the family is still intact. Children are groomed to reject a parentincluding denigrating the other parent, limiting contact between the child and the targeted parent, or falsely accusing the targeted parent of abuse. As a result, the child may develop unjustified feelings of fear, anger, or hostility towards the targeted parent. Parental alienation can have serious and long-lasting consequences for the child's relationship with both parents, as well as their emotional well-being and development. It is a challenging issue that requires careful intervention and support to address and mitigate its harmful effects on families.