Do you know a victim of gaslighting? It’s a form of coercive control that is surprisingly recognisable once you acknowledge its existence. Clients who come to us having experienced this type of abuse by their partner are invariably in a very delicate state.
“Coercive Control” is now a criminal offence, which is certainly a step in the right direction. The ongoing problem is that so few people appear to understand what it means and so it is simply ignored. There are many types, but today I’m going to look specifically at gaslighting.
The phrase is based on a 1938 play called Gaslight by Patrick Hamilton in which the victim is systematically and psychologically manipulated by her husband to such an extreme that she begins to doubt her sanity. The wife is aware that the (gas)lights dim at sinister moments but the husband insists she must be imagining things and as a consequence attempts to get her diagnosed as insane so he can gain power of attorney over her and keep his secrets hidden.
In our clients’ circumstances the abuser uses words to get their victims to mistrust those who might support them, making them feel worthless and abandoned. The abusers appear outwardly charming and are invariably highly intelligent. They are usually not physically violent but use coercive control and emotional manipulation to hurt their victims instead.
Counsellors say they can often identify victims of coercive control early on as they tend to be obsessed with their own failures and inadequacies.
The problem is particularly acute in divorce situations. The role of either victimizer or victim can oscillate within a given relationship, and often each of the participants is convinced that they are the victim. Clients often question their own thinking, perception and reality testing, and thereby tend to evoke low self-esteem for themselves. The victims begin to lose confidence in their mental capacities and develop a sense of learned helplessness. They become more susceptible to the victimizer’s control.
Victims tend to be people with less power and authority.
As Kate Abramson in her paper Turning up the Lights on Gaslighting says: ‘“The abuser may invalidate the victim’s experiences using dismissive language: “You’re crazy. Don’t be so sensitive. Don’t be paranoid. I was just joking! … I’m worried; I think you’re not well.”’
Sound familiar?
Gaslighting and Coercive Control is much more common than you might think.
It’s time we took it more seriously.
Our Family lawyers have the knowledge and experience to guide you through these challenging times and have rankings in the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for their expertise.
If you need some advice and support, please get in touch via family@bishopandsewell.co.uk or call us direct on +44(0)20 7091 2869. We are here for you.
The above is accurate as at 16 July 2020. The information above may be subject to change during these ever-changing times.
The content of this note should not be considered legal advice and each matter should be considered on a case by case basis.
