If you think you or a friend is the victim of coercive control, come along to one of the Women’s Voice workshops to find out more about it and what you can do to stop it.

Free coercive control workshops for women in May and June

Women’s Voice charity are holding two workshops where women can find out what coercive control is and what to do about it. HOT’s Erica Smith discovers that physical violence is not the only kind of domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse isn’t always physical. Coercive control is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim. This controlling behaviour is designed to make a person dependent by isolating them from support, exploiting them, depriving them of independence and regulating their everyday behaviour.

Women’s Voice chair, Anne-Marie Watson, says: “Does your partner control your money, your mobile phone or tell you what to wear? All these are examples of coercive control. It is a form of domestic abuse and is illegal. If this kind of behaviour affects you or a friend, come to our workshop in the Isabel Blackman Centre, Winding Street, Hastings Old Town at 6–9pm on Wednesday 24 May, or if you prefer, you can attend an online workshop at 6–9pm on Thursday 8 June.”

The workshops will raise awareness of coercion and control. By the end we hope you will:

• know what coercion and control is and how to identify it
• be aware of the law
• understand how coercion and control impacts on children
• consider how to keep yourself safe
• be aware of how to support friends and family
• have had time to discuss, reflect and to raise concerns
• leave with useful information, learning and resources

Women’s Voice is a charity run by women for everyone who identifies as female in our community. All women are welcome to attend the workshops.

For more information, email Women’s Voice.
You can book a place on the workshop on Wed 24 May via Eventbrite or by emailing hastingswomensvoice@yahoo.com.

You can also book a place on the online workshop on Thursday 8 May via Eventbrite, or by emailing hastingswomensvoice@yahoo.com.

For more information about Women’s Voice, visit the website.

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