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Abstract: 

Can the same psychological tactics that persuade domestic violence victims to recant also explain why some survivors become defendants in criminal cases? This article argues that they can. Building on the Five-Stage Model of recantation, the authors show how coercive control can pressure victims into conduct such as drug trafficking, theft, commercial sex, unlawful firearm possession, and false statements to authorities. Through three compelling case studies, the article demonstrates how abusers manipulate victims into assuming escalating legal risks while concealing the coercive context. The authors also examine practical interventions that can identify criminalized survivors earlier and interrupt the pathway from victimization to prosecution.

Keywords: Coercive Control; Criminalized Survivors; Domestic Violence; Survivor Criminalization; Five-Stage Model; Abuse-to-Prison Pipeline

Affiliations:  1: San Diego State University; 2: King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.