One of the problems with coercion is that it is not apparent to the casual observer, especially when the victim has a mental disorder. This slide show illustrates the dynamics of this stealth-like characteristic characteristic of coercive abuse and why it is important that law enforcement and attorneys recognize coercive abuse in legal proceedings.

1. RISK &VULNERABILITY:
COERCIVE ABUSE
Women with Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues are vulnerable
to coercive forms of domestic violence.
(Source: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Survey Report, NCDVTMH/NDVH)
2015 Takhone Law Center

2. THE ROLE OF COERCION IN
DOMESTICVIOLENCE
 Violence and the threat of violence
create a “dynamic of domination
and intimidation.”
 Coercion is a means of sustaining
the dynamic.
 A casual observer of the
relationship may not identify some
coercive tactics as abuse.
Coercion
Fear
Shame
Anxiety
Trauma
2015 Takhone Law Center

3.  Co-occurrence of domestic violence
and mental disorders, including
substance abuse.
 Affects of gender abuse
 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
 Adverse childhood experiences
 Fear, shame and anxiety associated
with mental disorders.
 The coercion tactics manipulate the
vulnerabilities of victim.
Coercion
Fear
Shame
Anxiety
Trauma
RISK OF MENTAL DISORDERS AND
VULNERABILITYTO COERCION
2015 Takhone Law Center

4. COERCIVETACTICS: STEALTH WEAPONS
 Sabotaged sanity and sobriety
 Induced disability and/or dependency
 Controlled or barred access to services or
treatment
Casual
Observation
Reported
Behavior
Stigma of
SA and MI
Abuse
Validated
(actions
attributed
to SA and
MI)
 Undermined ability to maintain custody of
children
 Interfered with supportive relationships (friends,
family, co-workers, etc.)
 Reported behavior as “crazy” or “out of control”
HOWITWORKS
2015 Takhone Law Center

5. PREVALENCE OF COERCIVETACTICS
Mental Health Survey
Questions Yes
1. Has your partner or ex-partner ever called you “crazy” or accused you of
being “crazy”
85.7%
2. Has your partner or ex-partner ever threatened to report to authorities
that you are “crazy” to keep you from getting something you want or need
(e.g., custody of children, medication, protective order)?
50.2%
3. Do you think your partner or ex-partner has ever deliberately done things
to make you feel like you are going crazy or losing your mind?
73.8%
4. In the last few years, have you ever gone to see someone like a counselor
or social worker or therapist or doctor to get help with feeling upset or
depressed?
53.2%
5. Has your partner or ex-partner ever tried to prevent or discourage you
from getting that help or taking medication you were prescribed for your
feelings? [Respondents who answered “Yes” to #4]
49.6%
Substance Abuse Survey
Questions Yes
1. Has your partner or ex-partner ever pressured or forced you to use
alcohol or other drugs, or made you use more than you wanted?
27.0%
2. Has your partner or ex-partner ever threatened to report your alcohol or
other drug use to anyone in authority to keep you from getting something
you want or need (e.g., custody of children, a job, benefits, or a protective
order)?
37.5%
3. Have you ever been afraid to call the police for help because your partner
or ex-partner said they wouldn’t believe you because you were using, or you
would be arrested for being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs?
24.4%
4. Have you ever used alcohol or other drugs as a way to reduce the pain of
your partner or ex-partner’s abuse?
26%
5. In the last few years, have you ever tried to get help for your use of
alcohol or other drugs?
15.2%
6. Has your partner or ex-partner ever tried to prevent or discourage you
from getting that help? [Respondents who answered “Yes” to #5]
60.1%
2015 Takhone Law Center

6. IMPLICATIONS FOR COURT PROGRAMS
 Researchers recommended modifying DV Programs to
address mental health and substance abuse coercion:
 Provide information that offers perspective and helps reduce
isolation and stigma
 Incorporate into discussions about program accessibility,
safety planning, risk assessment, support group topics, and
legal advocacy
 Provide outreach, education, and advocacy with community
providers and systems
2015 Takhone Law Center

7. IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICE & ATTORNEYS
 Researchers suggest that it is “crucial to supporting the
safety and well-being of both survivors and children” for law
enforcement and attorneys to:
 Recognize the role mental health and substance use coercion
may be playing in a survivor’s legal case
 Not permit abusers to rely on stigma or overly broad
generalizations in protection order hearings or custody battles
2015 Takhone Law Center

8. SOURCES
 Carole Warshaw, MD, et al., Mental Health & Substance Abuse Coercive Surveys,
Report from the National Center on DomesticViolence,Trauma & Mental Health
and the National DomesticViolence Hotline (March 2014)
 Carole Warshaw, MD, UnderstandingTrauma and Mental Health in the Context of
DomesticViolence Advocacy, National IndigenousWomen’s Resource Center
(webinar 1:37)
2015 Takhone Law Center

9. DOMESTICVIOLENCE RESOURCES
 The National DomesticViolence Hotline (1-800-799-7233)
(http://www.thehotline.org/)
 National IndigenousWomen’s Resource Center
(http://my.niwrc.org/)
 Arizona Coalition to End Sexual & DomesticViolence
(http://www.azcadv.org/)
2015 Takhone Law Center