Take Action

States with Coercive Control Laws or Statutory Recognition

California – SB 374 (2021) defines Coercive Control and allows courts to issue protective
orders based on it.

Connecticut – “Jennifer’s Law” (Senate Bill 1091, 2021) Expanded the definition of Domestic
Violence to include Coercive Control and added examples to statutory law.

Colorado – Legislation includes Coercive Control language in context of Domestic
Violence/Training etc.

Hawaii – Hawaii Criminalized Coercive Control as a petty misdemeanor in family/domestic
contexts.

Kentucky – Statute defines Domestic Violence to include psychological/environmental/coercive
control elements.

Mississippi – House Bill 1386 (2020) defines Coercive Control as part of Domestic Violence.

Nevada – Assembly Bill 60 (2019) revises the Domestic Violence Definition to include
Coercion.

New York – Senate Bill 2625 (2019) expanded Domestic Violence to include “Coercion.”

Washington – House Bill 1320 (2021) includes Coercive Control, defines Coercion in Domestic
Violence Statute.

Massachusetts – In 2024 Massachusetts passed a law classifying Coercive Control as a form of
Domestic Violence.

*In most states Coercive Control is not yet a standalone criminal offense. Instead, it is incorporated
into civil statutes (Protection Orders, Family/Domestic Violence Definitions) or used in court proceedings
(custody, domestic relations) to be considered by judges.*

How to Make Changes In Your State?

Education, Advocacy, and Direct Action.

1. Educate yourself and others: Know your state’s current laws. Look how your state defines
   domestic violence. Does it include psychological abuse, coercion, or coercive control?
2. Learn from other states: Use examples like California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts to
   show lawmakers it’s already being done.
3. Gather Stories and Data: Lawmakers respond to both statistics and real human impact
   (survivor stories).
4. Build Coalitions: Connect with Local Domestic Violence agencies, survivor networks, and
   advocacy groups.
5. Partner with Mental Health Professionals, Attorneys, Social Workers: and survivors
   willing to testify or share stories.
6. Join or start a grassroots group (like Stronger Roots) focused specifically on Coercive
   Control Legislation.
7. Engage Lawmakers: Identify your State Representative and Senator—they are the ones who
   can sponsor bills.
8. Schedule Meetings: In person, virtual, or by phone. “Will you sponsor a bill to include
   Coercive Control in Domestic Violence Statute?”
9. Send Letters, emails, personal, heartfelt, and specific: Share your story if safe or
   share general survivor experiences.
10. Use Public Pressure: Write op-eds or letters to the editor in local papers to raise
    awareness. Use Social Media, Host Awareness events. Get Community leaders to sign on to support a
    legislative push.
11. Testify and Advocate at Hearings: When a bill is introduced it will likely go through a
    committee hearing. Survivors and advocates can provide written or live testimony. Testimony is POWERFUL, it
    puts a face and stories to the statistics.
12. Keep Momentum: Bills often take multiple sessions to pass, Persistence is key.

Here’s a Sample Letter

Dear (Representative/Senator),

I am writing as a constituent and a concerned citizen to urge you to support legislation that recognizes
coercive control as a form of domestic violence under (your state) law.

Currently (your state) domestic violence statutes do not fully capture the reality of psychological abuse,
manipulation, and controlling behaviors that many victims endure. These patterns (gaslighting, financial
restriction, surveillance, isolation, and intimidation) are not always visible but research shows they are
strong predictors of serious harm, including homicide.

Other states, including California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts have already updated their laws to reflect
the modern understanding of domestic abuse. By passing similar legislation, (your state) would ensure that
survivors are better protected and that courts and law enforcement have the tools they need to intervene
before abuse escalates to physical violence.

This is not just a legal issue, it is a public safety issue and family well-being issue. Survivors of
coercive control often suffer in silence because their abuse is dismissed as “not serious enough” until it’s
too late. (Your State) has an opportunity to lead with compassion, safety, and justice.

I respectfully ask that you:

1. Sponsor or co-sponsor legislation that explicitly defines coercive control as domestic violence in Ohio
   Law.
2. Ensure that protection orders can be granted on the basis of coercive control.
3. Support training for judges, attorneys, and law enforcement so that these laws can be meaningfully
   enforced.

I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you or your staff to discuss this important issue further.
Survivors and families across (Your state) are counting on leadership that sees the full reality of abuse not
just the bruises.

Thank you for your time, your service, and your commitment to the people of (your State).

Sincerely,