Is It Complicated or Coercive Control: Recognizing Patterns, and Risks

Domestic violence cases frequently involve patterns of coercive control, trauma responses, elevated risk and survivor behaviors that may be misunderstood within the legal system. This seminar provides attorneys with a practical framework for identifying the “backstory” behind domestic violence cases and applying that information to client interviewing, case assessment, safety considerations and legal representation. Participants will examine coercive control, high-risk indicators, the Danger Assessment, survivor behavior, available resources and the appropriate use of domestic violence expert witnesses.

Objectives:

Attorney will be able to:

1. Distinguish domestic violence incidents from patterns of coercive control and identify how those patterns may affect legal case strategy.

2. Recognize common trauma and coercive-control dynamics that may influence client disclosure, memory, recantation, participation and perceived credibility.

3. Identify high-risk indicators and explain how structured risk-assessment information, including the Danger Assessment, may inform attorney safety considerations and client counseling.

4. Identify legal-system and community resources that may support safety, documentation and continuity of representation for survivors.

5. Evaluate circumstances in which a domestic violence expert witness may assist counsel or the factfinder in understanding coercive control, victim behavior, risk and other dynamics outside common knowledge.

6. Apply a coercive-control lens to hypothetical case facts to identify information requiring further client interviewing, investigation, documentation or expert consultation.