Einhorn Barbarito Attorney Alissa Hascup Discusses Coercive Control as Domestic Abuse in New Jersey Lawyer Magazine

In the New Jersey Lawyer magazine article “Coercive Control: Recognizing the Invisible Chains that Constitute Domestic Abuse,” Einhorn, Barbarito, Frost, Botwinick, Nunn & Musmanno, PC attorney Alissa D. Hascup addresses the complexities of domestic violence, focusing on coercive control. She explains that domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. This abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, psychological, or technological.

Alissa highlights the Power and Control Wheel, a tool created by the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project (DAIP) in Duluth, MN, which outlines common tactics used by abusers. Until recently, New Jersey did not recognize coercive control as domestic violence. However, with the passage of Senate Bill S1809, coercive control is now legally recognized as a form of domestic violence in New Jersey. This includes behaviors such as isolating victims, depriving them of basic necessities, and controlling their finances, movements and/or communications.

New Jersey’s recognition of coercive control as domestic violence is critically important, Alissa states, as it provides victims with an additional means to hold abusers accountable for non-physical violence and allows courts to consider a broader spectrum of behaviors when determining whether domestic violence has occurred. This sends a vital message that controlling behavior will not be tolerated.

Alissa also writes that victims should be prepared to discuss alleged acts of coercive control in detail and provide any evidence available to substantiate their claims, including text messages, emails, and voicemails. Witnesses who can corroborate the victim’s experiences may also be helpful, especially in cases involving isolation or threats related to immigration status.

You can read Alissa’s New Jersey Lawyer magazine article here.

This article was originally published in the December 2024 issue of New Jersey Lawyer and is being republished herein with permission of the New Jersey State Bar Association.