Final answer:
The term 'coercive control' describes a severe form of intimate-partner violence that integrates physical abuse with other controlling behaviors to dominate victims, typically escalating from emotional abuse to a pervasive pattern designed to maintain power and control.
Step-by-step explanation:
Coercive control refers to a very serious form of intimate-partner violence that combines physical abuse with other forms of control and domination. This type of violence within intimate relationships is characterized not only by physical attacks but also involves tactics to isolate, degrade, and control partners, as well as possibly involving financial and psychological abuse. It represents an ongoing pattern of behavior rather than isolated incidents, ensuring the abuser maintains power and control over their victim.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) typically includes a range of abuses, such as physical, sexual, emotional, and technological. Particularly for women, who are primary victims, IPV can escalate from emotional abuse to more severe and frequent forms, like coercive control that significantly impacts their freedom and safety. The abuse can have profound long-term effects on victims, often leading to a continuous cycle of victimization.