Beyond “Witnessing”: Children’s Experiences of Coercive Control in Domestic Violence and Abuse

Abstract

Children's experiences and voices are underrepresented in academic literature and professional practice around domestic violence and abuse. The project 'Understanding Agency and Resistance Strategies' addresses this absence, through direct engagement with children. We present an analysis from interviews with 21 children in the United Kingdom (12 girls and 9 boys, aged 8-18 years), about their experiences of domestic violence and abuse, and their responses to this violence. These interviews were analysed using interpretive interactionism. Three themes from this analysis are presented: a) 'Children's experiences of abusive control', which explores children's awareness of controlling behaviour by the adult perpetrator, their experience of that control, and its impact on them; b) 'Constraint', which explores how children experience the constraint associated with coercive control in situations of domestic violence, and c) 'Children as agents' which explores children's strategies for managing controlling behaviour in their home and in family relationships. The paper argues that, in situations where violence and abuse occurs between adult intimate partners, children are significantly impacted, and can be reasonably described as victims of abusive control. Recognising children as direct victims of domestic violence and abuse would produce significant changes in the way professionals respond to them, by 1) recognising children's experience of the impact of domestic violence and abuse; 2) recognising children's agency, undermining the perception of them as passive 'witnesses' or 'collateral damage' in adult abusive encounters; and 3) strengthening professional responses to them as direct victims, not as passive witnesses to violence.

Coercive control during the transition to parenthood: An overlooked factor in intimate partner violence and family wellbeing?

“…These findings are consistent with studies showing that children display more problem behavior when the parent relationship is characterized by intimate terrorism (Callaghan et al, 2015;Jouriles & McDonald, 2015;Katz, 2016); however, it is unclear why men's coercive control was related to infant adjustment whereas women's coercive control was related to toddler adjustment. These findings are consistent with studies showing that children display more problem behavior when the parent relationship is characterized by intimate terrorism (Callaghan et al, 2015;Jouriles & McDonald, 2015;Katz, 2016); however, it is unclear why men's coercive control was related to infant adjustment whereas women's coercive control was related to toddler adjustment.…”

“…Fathers' use of coercive control in the context of intimate terrorism is related to risk of child neglect (Nicklas & Mackenzie, 2013), perhaps because fathers may demand high levels of attention from mothers, which blocks children from maternal contact (Katz, 2016). Fathers who perpetrate high levels of coercive control toward their partner may also lead children to feel less able to speak freely and express themselves, and at times lead to child avoidance of certain areas of the home, in samples of participants seeking services for physical IPV and those with a history of physical IPV (Callaghan, Alexander, Sixsmith, & Fellin, 2015;Katz, 2016).…”

Children's experiences and needs in relation to domestic and family violence: Findings from a meta‐synthesis

“…The meta-synthesis highlights that rather than being merely "witnesses to," or "passive victims" of, the violence in their homes, many children reported taking on active roles (Callaghan et al, 2015;Øverlien, 2014;Øverlien & Hyden, 2009). This aspect of children's agency has been previously underreported and, according to children in the reviewed studies, under-appreciated by adults in the service system.…”

“…Children were reticent to excuse the behaviours of those that used violence (most often their fathers) or blame others (their mothers) for violence Øverlien & Hyden, 2009). For others, managing relationships with abusive fathers, who continued to use coercive and controlling behaviours well after leaving home, was a constant concern (Callaghan et al, 2015;Georgsson et al, 2011). For others, managing relationships with abusive fathers, who continued to use coercive and controlling behaviours well after leaving home, was a constant concern (Callaghan et al, 2015;Georgsson et al, 2011).…”

‘Do you want to do some arm wrestling?’: children's strategies when experiencing domestic violence and the meaning of age

“…(iii) The image of passive, vulnerable children does not correspond well to the way children present themselves and their lives in qualitative interviews (cf. Katz, 2015;Callaghan et al 2015;Overlien and Hyden, 2009;McGee, 2000;Mullender et al, 2002;Peled, 1998). (iv) It not only dominates but also blurs our vision in regard to children's and young people's own responses to the violence in their lives.…”