Exploring Attitudes and Expectations of Coercive Control: Insights from a Cross-Dimensional Study in the Gender and Sexually Diverse Community

• In Event: Gender, Crime and Justice Working Group Panel 8: Contextual variants in domestic abuse (I)

Abstract

This paper presents findings from a comprehensive study investigating attitudes and expectations of coercive control within the gender and sexually diverse (GSD) community. Through a cross-dimensional approach, data was collected via interviews with GSD harm users, focus groups comprising practitioners working with harm users, and a survey distributed to members of the queer community. The study aimed to provide a nuanced understanding of coercive dynamics within GSD relationships and shed light on the perceptions and experiences of both harm users, practitioners that work with them, and community members. Analysis of interview data revealed multifaceted perspectives on coercive control, highlighting the intersectionality of identities and the diverse lived experiences of GSD individuals. Practitioners' insights, gathered through focus groups, offered valuable perspectives on the challenges and complexities of addressing coercive behavior within the GSD community, as well as potential avenues for intervention and support. Furthermore, survey results provided a broader community perspective, elucidating prevailing attitudes, awareness levels, and expectations surrounding coercive control in queer relationships. The findings underscore the importance of tailored interventions and support services that acknowledge the unique needs and experiences of GSD individuals, while also addressing broader societal attitudes and systemic barriers. This cross-dimensional study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of coercive control dynamics in the GSD community, informing future research, policy development, and intervention efforts aimed at promoting healthy, respectful relationships within diverse sexual and gender contexts.

Author

• Anna Wehren, Loughborough University