Debra Wingfield

Dr. Debra Wingfield is an author, trainer, and educator related to domestic abuse, coercive control, child abuse, and prevention in these areas. She offers training virtually and presents at conferences.

Stop Misuse of Narcissist in Coercive Control Cases

Misuse of the term narcissist takes the coercive controller off the hook for their behavior and being held accountable. Labeling takes away responsibility for coercive control from the abuser and provides an excuse to blame behavior on a mental health diagnosis. Not all narcissists abuse and not all abusers are narcissists. The additional problem with […]

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Beyond Physical Violence: What is Coercive Control?

Many non-domestic violence professionals and the average person on the street consider domestic violence as strictly “physical violence”. Sometimes “emotional abuse” is acknowledged. Those experienced in intervention with domestic violence dynamics know there are many other tactics abusers use. Coercive Control with and without physical violence is becoming a more accepted term due to the comprehensive nature of domestic violence.

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Building Resilience in Children through the Holidays

Advocates talk with parents about the importance of building resilience skills in their children in relation to parenting time. Help children expand their horizons in positive, nurturing environments. Help children avoid toxic stress. Advocacy training for victims of domestic violence/abuse and coercive control includes custody and parenting time cases.

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Abusers Dodge Criminal Charges

Impact of father’s abuse of mother results in toxic stress response by son. Father will not be held accountable for the criminal behavior he perpetrated during the marriage, post-separation, and most likely post-divorce. The son is being trained to be abusive and use coercion and control in his adult relationships. Who will eventually hold him accountable? Or, will he dodge criminal charges just like his father?

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The Leopard Who Constantly Changes His Spots—Emotional Abuse

How do you explain to someone who has not experienced emotional abuse what happens in your relationship? This was the question one protective mother asked me after expressing her frustration that her attorney did not understand what she was saying when she told him she was emotionally abused in her relationship.

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