Neglect and Coercion

Neglect as Active Violence by Omission

Neglect is often the flip side of the coin in domestic violence, and although it is commonly associated with children or the elderly, it is a potent tool of control between partners.

It is technically defined as the deliberate deprivation of care necessary for physical and emotional well-being, constituting violence by "not doing" that which is an inherent obligation of one's role.

When a caregiver or partner fails to provide emotional support, withholds necessary medication, withholds food, prevents personal hygiene or ignores basic needs during crises, he or she is exercising active violence.

In public health analyses, neglect has been identified as one of the most potent risk factors for self-destructive behaviors in young people, even more so than physical abuse, due to the structural vacuum it creates.

In an unequal power relationship, the omission of aid and care is not an accidental oversight; it is a calculated violent action intended to demonstrate to the victim her total vulnerability, her dependence and the irrelevance of her suffering to the aggressor.

Coercive Control as Deprivation of Liberty

The concept of coercive control, introduced by experts, redefines the modern understanding of domestic violence, shifting the focus from episodic physical assaults to a crime against freedom and autonomy. This dynamic resembles hostage-taking in everyday life.

The aggressor micro-regulates the victim's most trivial daily activities: controlling how long it takes to go to the supermarket, deciding how she should dress, regulating her sleep schedules, or imposing obsessive standards on how to clean the house.

This excessive surveillance and regulation creates an "invisible cage" or totalitarian regime within the home.

Even if there are no visible blows, the victim lacks autonomy to act and lives under the implicit threat that any disobedience to the imposed rules will lead to severe psychological punishments.

Understanding coercion is vital to the diagnosis, as many victims do not report physical aggression, but live in a state of complete nullification of their civil rights within their own relationship.

Summary

Neglect is active violence by omission, defined as the "failure to do" what is necessary for the welfare of the other. It involves withdrawing basic emotional support or care to demonstrate to the victim her vulnerability and dependence.

Coercive control redefines violence as a crime against freedom. The aggressor micro-regulates the victim's daily activities, creating a totalitarian regime within the home similar to hostage-taking in civilian life.

Although there are no visible blows, the victim lives under an "invisible cage". She lacks real autonomy and obeys strict rules for fear of psychological reprisals, living in a state of complete nullification of her domestic civil rights.