Canada’s domestic violence crisis didn’t begin with COVID-19. Although the pandemic exacerbated the dangers for many victims, this is a pervasive societal scourge that affects more than four in ten women and a not insignificant number of men.
Coercive control can be a life or death issue in relationships. But few people even know how to recognize it When we reached out to victims’ families, some were eager to talk, but others were reluctant. Some had felt misrepresented by previous encounters with media. Some had been advised not to talk ahead of a trial. Some only knew a little about their loved one’s situation, because the victim had kept quiet due to shame or fear. Some told us that their loved ones – who had been murdered by partners or ex-partners – were not in abusive relationships.
EXPLAINER: What is coercive control? Why understanding the warning signs is key to preventing intimate partner violenceThe Globe and Mail will be highlighting some of the most frequently cited themes at the root of this violence: coercive control ; the underfunding of shelters and housing; the lack of resources for prevention; and the role of police in investigating domestic violence. We will also report on potential solutions.
Prevention – the one area that experts, survivors and advocates agree needs more funding and resources – is seriously hobbled by a lack of data. Prevention programs are scarce and the effectiveness of various models is only intermittently measured, partly because it’s difficult to quantify how many women are not harmed, or how many men do not use violence, as a result of them. But even finding out what programs are available can be challenging.
Here's a tactic the Canadian state media/police/gov uses. Kick the dog until it bites, then call it a mad dog and put it down. Beware this strategy at home.