Last month, Gov. Maura Healey signed bill H4744 into law, making Massachusetts the seventh state in the country to classify coercive control as a form of domestic violence. Our friends at Jane Doe Inc. and so many organizations, community groups, and survivors worked tirelessly to make this law possible which will advance essential protections for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. 

The legal system will never be the end all be all answer for responding to or preventing sexual and domestic violence. And while this law is a tremendous step forward, there are limitations that will need to continue to be addressed, hopefully through additional revisions in the future. We also know that there are many survivors of domestic violence who (justifiably) do not feel safe calling the police or seeking the court’s assistance in holding their abuser accountable. For some, calling the police would increase their risk of harm. Knowing all of this, why does this law matter so much? 

This change happened not in one day with one signature. This change happened because of hundreds of individuals who worked to create this change. They organized, they educated, and they fostered motivation in the people who have the power to make this state-level change. Just as the actions of one individual can ripple out to impact an entire state, the change in a law can impact individual attitudes, beliefs, and actions. And that can save lives.

Almost two decades ago as a domestic violence advocate I supported survivors of domestic violence who were seeking restraining orders in Washington D.C. There were two judges who would hear requests for restraining orders. The moment I walked into the courtroom and saw which judge was on that day, I knew whether or not the survivor I accompanied would be successful in obtaining this protective order. One judge never gave a restraining order without proof of physical harm. It did not matter if the survivor shared that the abuser had threatened to kill them, without visible scars, they would not be granted a restraining order. Often the same survivor would return in a week or two, sometimes on crutches or with a black eye. The same judge- forgetting that he had turned this same individual away days before- would look visibly distraught and say words meant to be comforting or encouraging to the survivor. And I remember feeling so angry, thinking how easily this could have been prevented. 

Domestic violence is about power and control; it’s one person using a pattern of behaviors to gain and maintain power and control over their partner. Recognizing coercive control as a form of domestic violence is long overdue. It addresses the intention of ongoing behaviors and could potentially prevent the abuse from escalating. Whether or not abuse is physical, having your partner systematically take your power and control away has a long lasting impact. Every survivor I’ve ever spoken to has said that the psychological and emotional forms of abuse were the most damaging and long-lasting. This bill isn’t a magical answer, but it is one important step towards loudly and emphatically condemning all forms of abuse. 

Want to get educated and empowered to be part of this change? Let’s talk.