Coercive Control and Domestic Violence in Wealthy Couples

"And yes, that's a list of men because men are more common perpetrators of all crimes, including over 90 percent of intimate partner physical and sexual violence, stalking, and homicide. Affluent abusers hide their actions from outsiders, often choosing coercive control tactics without overt physical violence. Coercive control is a strategy that some people use to dominate their intimate partners. It can include intimidation, isolation, monitoring, manipulation, and financial, verbal, physical, and sexual abuse."

"Not all these elements are present in every case. A wealthy abuser with a reputation to maintain may be more likely to control his wife or girlfriend through intimidation and sexual abuse than blows to the head, although affluent men certainly commit physical and sexual abuse and even domestic violence homicides (femicide). Their sense of entitlement makes them think they can get away with it. And all too often, they do."

"Luthar (2003) first described the "culture of affluence." Her research found high levels of anxiety, depression, and alcohol and drug use among affluent teens. Others have described a lack of intimacy, pressure to present a positive public image, and a lack of authentic friends, which means that a domestic violence victim may be unusually isolated. Materialism, perfectionism, and social status may be more valued than interpersonal bonds. The over-valuation of youthful beauty may frighten same-age wives who contemplate divorce."

Wealthy individuals perpetrate domestic abuse, sometimes targeting lower-income victims and sometimes imprisoning spouses within a gilded cage. Men commit the majority of intimate partner physical and sexual violence, stalking, and homicide. Affluent abusers frequently conceal harm through coercive control tactics—intimidation, isolation, monitoring, manipulation, and financial, verbal, physical, and sexual abuse—rather than overt physical assaults. Reputation concerns and entitlement encourage nonphysical domination and reduce accountability. The culture of affluence fosters anxiety, depression, substance use, thin social networks, pressure for a pristine public image, materialism, and overvaluation of youth, increasing victim isolation and barriers to escape.

Read at Psychology Today