Breaking the Silence: Sexual Abuse as a Weapon of Coercive Control (Session 8)

Breaking the Silence: Sexual Abuse as a Weapon of Coercive Control (Session 8)

This session addresses one of the most painful and least discussed aspects of coercive control: sexual abuse within intimate partner relationships and families. Lisa Fontes presents on intimate partner sexual abuse as a powerful weapon of coercive control, examining how sexual violence and coercion are used to dominate, humiliate, and maintain power over intimate partners. Her presentation challenges myths that sexual abuse primarily occurs between strangers or acquaintances, revealing how intimate partner sexual abuse is often the most traumatic form of sexual violence due to the ongoing nature of the relationship and the violation of trust it represents. Patti Feuereisen addresses the sensitive topic of teen girls surviving incest, presenting her work on brave, safe, and insightful interviewing techniques that allow survivors to share their experiences without retraumatization. Her presentation provides essential guidance for professionals who work with young survivors, emphasizing the importance of creating safety and building trust while gathering information about abuse. Together, these presentations break the silence surrounding sexual abuse as a dimension of coercive control, providing both theoretical understanding and practical skills for supporting survivors of these devastating forms of abuse.