Unpacking Coercive Control: The Foundation of Most Domestic Violence is a 2.5 hour MASTER CLASS  intended to succinctly educate those working in the judicial system, specifically, the family court system. Coercive Control IS the foundation of  all domestic abuse.

Coercive Control is an insidious abuse and research now affirms that "hidden" abuse may be more harmful than abuses inflicted with physical violence. This is because it is typically nuanced and leaves victims and survivors in a state of "unknowing." Rather than ask...why doesn't she leave? We should be asking, why are the systems intended to protect our most vulnerable all too often not successful? 

Coercive control slowly erodes away the autonomy of the victim, all in attempts by the perpetrator to retain control. Beyond manipulating and psychologically harming their victims, perpetrators will exert their power by weaponizing the children, and beyond this, use the judicial and criminal justice system to further harm both adult and child victims and survivors. 

I am a licensed clinical social worker and am a trauma-trained clinician & coercive control expert. I have supported both adult and child victims of abuse my entire career. For my Doctorate in Clinical Social Welfare, I researched topics related to child and adult victims of coercive control and the impact this abuse has on victims and survivors. I have been a domestic abuse/sexual assault advocate since the age of 19, a child protective services (CPS) social worker, and an educator in the field of intimate partner violence for my entire career. 

Education is my #1 priority. Education will prevent intergenerational trauma and I have dedicated my life to this prevention work. Together we can create the needed shifts in our systems. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out via email to admin@drcocchiola.com 

Dr. C.