Recantation as a Form of Coercive Control

Recantation as a Form of Coercive Control

In this groundbreaking keynote, prosecutor and researcher David Martin examines recantation—when victims withdraw accusations or refuse to cooperate with prosecution—as itself a form of coercive control rather than merely an obstacle to prosecution. Drawing on his 28 years of experience in domestic violence prosecution and his book “Recantation and Domestic Violence: The Untold Story,” Martin reveals how perpetrators strategically use the criminal justice system as a weapon, coercing victims into recanting through threats, manipulation, and exploitation of legal processes. This presentation fundamentally reframes how we understand victim behavior in criminal proceedings, moving beyond victim-blaming narratives about “uncooperative victims” to recognize recantation as evidence of ongoing coercion and control. Martin discusses the implications of this understanding for prosecution strategies, victim services, and court responses, offering concrete recommendations for how the justice system can better respond when victims recant. This keynote challenges long-held assumptions about victim credibility and cooperation, demonstrating how recognizing recantation as coercive control can actually strengthen rather than undermine prosecution efforts while better protecting victims from ongoing abuse.