This peer-to-peer session introduces judges predatory helpfulness tactics used by perpetrators of domestic violence and sex trafficking. The session critiques traditional definitions of intimate partner violence for ignoring non-physical abuse, emphasizing how coercive control and predatory helpfulness drive domestic abuse and sex trafficking. It calls for evaluators—not victims—to prove abuse, and urges more nuanced, context-sensitive assessments to improve legal responses. This presentation focuses on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and how such cases are investigated/handled by law enforcement. It discusses how a women’s reluctance or fear of getting help automatically has police misclassifying incidence as minor or dismissing the case entirely. The presentation also discusses how current initial interview questions are more damaging than investigators may realize, and how to change them. Finally, the presentation talks about key tactics. selected illustrations. and effects of coercive control.
Abuse Dynamics, Domestic Violence & Dynamics, National Judicial Network & Judicial Training, Trauma Informed Assistance, Victim Centered Services