Coerced: Addressing the Hidden Forms of Domestic Violence | Ryan Hart

Victims of coercive control might not recognize their experience as domestic abuse. In the case of Ryan Hart, his mother was left with no choice but to stay with his father — who portrayed himself as a well-respected family man in their community. Ryan says that it was their father's gendered view of the world which ultimately led him to murder his daughter and wife of 25 years.

According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men worldwide experience some type of abuse.  And with the COVID-19 lockdown, reported numbers of intimate partner violence rose significantly.

In this episode, we’ll unpack domestic violence and its manifestations. We learn about coercive control and emotional abuse and why it’s extremely difficult to escape a manipulative partner. On the show, we share the unspeakable tragedy that befell the Hart family and how we can better advocate for domestic abuse victims and survivors.

Featuring policy and advocacy insights from experts: Patricia Evans, Author and Founder of the Evans Interpersonal Communications Institute and Dr. John Hamel, Forensic and Clinical Social Worker and Researcher.

In conversation with Hazami Barmada, Activist & Founder of the Humanity Lab Foundation.

FOR ADDITIONAL LEARNING ON THIS TOPIC, view our free educational toolkit and "policy deep-dive" document. We invite you to use this episode/toolkit for continued learning, advocacy and activism.

This episode is made with support from our generous sponsor, Vodafone Americas Foundation.