‘Coercive control’ now helps define domestic violence in Mass., an important gain for those facing harm (Viewpoint)

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When I began working at a domestic violence shelter years ago, I expected the stories of physical and sexual abuse. What I didn’t expect was the other stuff – the stories about not being allowed to choose what to wear or what to eat, not being able to leave the house or talk to family on the phone, not being allowed to sleep or to take needed medicine or even voice an opinion.

I didn’t expect the story about being taken out to the back yard and shown where someone could bury a body, if they ever wanted to.

Today, we call this other stuff “coercive control.” It’s not the kind of controlling behavior that