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Introducing "Abusement": A New Term to Understand Coercive Control Across Contexts (And How Contexts Are Linked!)

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In my work with various forms of coercive control, I've identified a common, disturbing thread: instances where abusers not only seek to control but also derive pleasure from the distress of others. I propose a new term to encapsulate this dynamic: "abusement." This term merges "abuse" and "amusement" to describe situations where pleasure is gained from exercising control and inflicting pain.


What Does Abusement Look Like?


Abusive Relationships: In this context, abusers might use emotional manipulation, such as gaslighting or public humiliation, to degrade their partners for personal amusement. They might also create scenarios where the partner feels compelled to earn the abuser's approval or affection, only to pull it away as a form of psychological torture.


Workplace Coercion: Here, abusement could occur when a supervisor or colleague takes pleasure in exerting power over others, such as setting unrealistic deadlines, giving demeaning feedback, or orchestrating scenarios that set employees up for failure, all while enjoying the distress it causes.


Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery: Traffickers might revel in the control and manipulation of their victims, treating human beings as commodities. Examples include forcing victims to compete for basic necessities or pitting individuals against each other, all for the trafficker's entertainment or to maintain control.


Cults: Leaders may use abusement by creating an environment of extreme psychological manipulation. They might enjoy the power of deciding who is "worthy" or "unworthy," using public shaming or harsh punishments as tools to thrill themselves at the expense of followers' well-being.


Sports Coercion: Coaches or teammates might use abusement through hazing rituals or by pushing athletes beyond their physical limits, disregarding their health or consent, and finding pleasure in their dominance and the suffering it causes.


Elder Abuse: This can include caregivers who take pleasure in withholding care, teasing, or belittling the elderly, or making them perform tasks they know are difficult, as a form of amusement and a show of control.


Connecting the Dots Through Coercive Control: These examples across varying contexts might seem distinct, but the threads of coercive control bind them—a strategy abusers use to dominate and restrict the freedoms of others for personal gain. "Abusement" captures not just the tactics but also the abusers' emotional investment in the process. It spotlights the grim satisfaction abusers derive from the act of control itself.

Understanding "abusement" helps us recognise patterns of behaviour that transcend individual circumstances and point to a broader cultural and psychological problem of coercion. This awareness is crucial—it empowers us to fight more effectively against the myriad forms of abuse permeating our societies.





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