For years, survivors have carried an impossible burden. “Why didn’t you know?” “Why didn’t you leave?” “Didn’t you see the signs?” The truth is that many abusers do not introduce themselves as violent. They introduce themselves as charming, attentive, generous, funny, and devoted. The coercive control often begins quietly and escalates over time. A publicly… Read More The Past Doesn’t Always Stay in the Past
A phenomenon that psychologists sometimes call normalcy bias, optimism bias, and, in some cases, epistemic injustice. When someone finally discloses domestic abuse and hears responses such as: “I doubt he’ll kill you.” “You’ll both meet someone else and move on.” “Every couple argues.” the speaker may think they are being reassuring. However, from a psychological perspective, they may… Read More Epistemic injustice.
Three doctors (one in France and two in Spain), three psychologists (one in France and two in Spain), a forensic psychologist in the UK, friends in three countries, and family members all reached the same conclusion. They could not all be wrong. It took many years and many attempts before I finally made the decision… Read More Abuse Assessment Checklist
The story of 48-year-old Plymouth nurse and lecturer Claire Chick is one of the clearest and most devastating examples of the dangers of stalking, coercive control, and domestic abuse escalation. Claire repeatedly sought help. Court proceedings heard that she contacted police six times in the months before her death, reporting harassment, stalking, threats, unwanted contact,… Read More “I honestly feel like Butler will kill me if further action is not taken. I am constantly afraid of leaving my house.”
A Trauma-Informed, Public Health & Justice Framework Executive Summary Domestic homicide is predictable, preventable, and systemic. Research consistently demonstrates that domestic homicide is not a sudden act of violence, but the final stage of an escalating pattern of coercive control, psychological abuse, fear-based domination, and trauma entrapment. This strategy proposes a multi-layered prevention model combining: Early detection Neuroscience-based risk profiling… Read More Domestic Homicide Prevention Strategy
A Trauma-Informed Framework for Justice in Domestic Abuse Cases Executive Summary Domestic abuse is not a series of isolated incidents — it is a sustained pattern of coercive control and psychological domination that produces long-term neurological, emotional, and socioeconomic harm. Current legal systems largely fail to recognise the cumulative nature of this trauma, leading to: Undercharging Inadequate sentencing Survivor retraumatisation Increased… Read More Legal Reform Recommendations
How European Law Treats This Pattern When strangulation occurs first, and is then followed by: physical assault stalking coercive control threats intimidation monitoring —even across different countries — this is legally recognised as: 🚨 Escalating violent criminal behaviour, not isolated incidents 🧠 Forensic & Psychological Meaning This pattern shows: Intent to dominate & control Escalation of violence Fixation on… Read More Strangulation in One Country → Violence & Stalking in Another
The Short Answer Future partners can absolutely be in danger It is not “just that relationship” Strangulation is a marker of a high-risk abuser, not a one-off loss of control Why Strangulation Is Different Strangulation isn’t an impulsive shove or shouted argument. It is: A deliberate act A control behavior A willingness to bring someone to the edge… Read More Strangulation is not about the situation.It is about the person who chooses to use it.
Plain truth Harassing a person who is known (or should reasonably be known) to have PTSD and is escaping or recovering from domestic violence is not “just harassment”.It is an aggravating form of psychological abuse. It compounds trauma and recreates the dynamics of coercive control. Why this is treated more seriously 1. Foreseeable harm When someone: Knows you’ve experienced… Read More Harassing someone with PTSD who is already dealing with domestic violence
1. Why Courts Deny Appeals to Drop Restraining Orders Courts rarely remove restraining orders lightly because the safety of the protected person is paramount. Before considering removal, they typically review: History of abuse or harassment: Prior incidents, documented threats, or violence. Police reports: Evidence of criminal activity or domestic incidents. Psychologist or psychiatrist reports: Evaluations of risk, mental health concerns,… Read More Rejected Appeals
