Social work training on coercive control

[ArabellaScott]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn4970jdgq7o

I'm shocked that 90% of social work caseloads involve coercive relationships. The scale of MVAWG is so vast I think it's hard to even grasp.

But also shocking is how poorly abuse is understood.

@ArabellaScott "We are still at the 'why doesn't she just leave' level societally."

I often think this is because if you have not personally experienced coercive control, or seen it play out in close relationships, it is really hard to wrap your head around how it manages to impact literally every area of a woman's (and her children's) life, whether she's in the presence of her coercive partner or whether he is 500 miles away on a 2-week work trip ‐he's still right there inside her head. It's a real blind spot for professionals; and the default is to fall back on 'why doesn't she just leave?'.

Once your life has been blighted by coercive control, it can't be unseen; I for one am now hyper-vigilant to any tell-tale signs, absences, omissions, side-steppings, avoidances, insistances, compelled behaviours etc when I speak to women and children professionally. I know from personal experience that coerced women and children become experts at deflecting and re-directing, flipping narratives and gaslighting themselves. It really is the most wretched bind and it takes a very special professional to not only spot what is happening but also to know how to work with it. If you're not really sure what you're looking for, it's easy to be fobbed off.

Yes. I do think it's something that is very hard to grasp if you've not been through it. And once seen it can't ever be unseen.

Sorry, I'm a bit scattered. I'd say 'this week,' but I think it's permanent ...

Not to worry, I was just drawing attention to myself!

And there is the long term damage to the woman's self esteem.

Without going into too personal details a friend's daughter after years of in fact 2 abusive partners, has eventually been rehoused with enough room for children (took nearly 10 years). So everyone was this fantastic, she can restart her live, but in fact the reality is that the 2 eldest children, both male, are now intimidating and controlling her and taking financial advantage.

It is so sad.

The rest of the family all blame her for "not snapping out of it".

And although critical of the sons dont in anyway see that their behaviour is just continuing that of their father.

Not the role of social work courses to train students in specialist practice areas, say academic leaders
https://www.communitycare.co.uk/2024/09/04/not-the-role-of-social-work-courses-to-train-students-in-specialist-practice-areas-say-academic-leaders/

'Social Work England is due to shortly publish new guidance for education providers on the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of students at the point of qualification to ensure they are practice ready.

Chief executive Colum Conway said the readiness for professional practice guidance would “make clear that social workers will need to be able to “understand signs of harm, exploitation, neglect, abuse, domestic abuse, and coercive or controlling behaviour, recognising their impact on people, families, and communities”.'

He added that the guidance had been informed by feedback from the Domestic Abuse Commissioner.'

Tiny steps, I guess.

May be relevant / of interest

https://www.communitycare.co.uk/2024/09/12/social-work-domestic-abuse-and-coercive-control-do-we-know-what-is-going-on-and-why/