Experiencing Coercive Control in Female Victims of Dating Violence

초록

Experiencing Coercive Control in Female Victims of Dating Violence Background: Dating violence refers to violence occurring between people in an intimate relationship. Forms of dating violence are often categorized into physical, psychological and sexual violence, and most of literature had followed this frame. However, few studies have focused on the particular phenomenon of living under perpetrator’s coercive control in victims of dating violence, although those experiences are known to be the signs of severe forms of violence later on. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of being coercively controlled in female victims who had experienced dating violence. Method: For this study, in-depth interviews were conducted with a total 14 female victims, and all interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. The data were analyzed using phenomenological analysis method suggested by Colaizzi. Results: Three themes were derived in chronological order: idealizing the relationship (period of potential control), facing with severer tyranny (period of coercive control), and escaping from the unending trap (period of post-control). The results showed that the victims experienced perpetrators’ control with specific patterns. The perpetrator’s controlling behaviors were invisible, literally benevolent, at the beginning; however, severe forms of violence seemed to appear as their relationship deepened and the perpetrators failed to control the victims. Conclusion: Findings from this study presented vivid experiences in female victims who definitely needed help and care. Hopefully the results can benefit in terms of developing evidence-based prevention strategies for victims as well as assessing the risk of severe forms of dating violence, such as physical attack or murder. Keywords: Intimate Partner Violence, Gender-based Violence, Physical Abuse, Crime Victims, Qualitative Research