#COERCIVECONTROL hashtag - Bluesky

@defendsurvivors.bsky.social

2 days ago

The Domestic Urban Cult: Immigration Exploitation, Coercive Control,and Multi-State Criminal Network High-control groups operating within urban immigrant communities represent an underexamined category in cultic studies literature. This article presents a case analysis of the "Back to the Cross" network, a high-control religious organization that operated across Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, and Arizona from approximately 1993 to 2009 under the leadership of Manuel “Memo” Taboada, a Peruvian national who falsely represented academic credentials from Multnomah Bible College. The organization recruited primarily among undocumented Mexican immigrants through street preaching and cross-border smuggling operations, charging members $1,800–$2,000 in harboring fees documented in federal case #3:05-cr-00377. At its operational peak, the network maintained six residential properties in concurrent operation and an estimated monthly income of $60,000–$75,000, all of which were funneled to leadership. The case is notable for three intersecting features rarely examined together in cultic literature: (1) the deliberate weaponization of members’ undocumented immigration status as a retention and silence mechanism; (2) the operation of the group within standard residential neighborhoods rather than isolated compounds; and (3) a multi-jurisdictional criminal infrastructure that included federal immigration charges, four indictments across three states, and a 2009 conviction for eight counts of child sexual assault. Drawing on court records, survivor testimony, archived news coverage, and the author’s 12 years of direct membership experience beginning at age 12, this article applies the BITE Model of Authoritarian Control and Complex PTSD diagnostic criteria to analyze the group’s mechanisms of coercion and their lasting psychological impact on survivors. Implications for clinicians, law enforcement, and cultic studies researchers are discussed.

"The Domestic Urban #Cult: Immigration Exploitation, #CoerciveControl,And Multi-State Criminal Network"
Squirrel Brain Stories
17 Apr 2026 [0:04:46]
#BackToTheCrossMinistry #ManuelTaboada
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/miVwZD9FLUuCpJN9AmABhg

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Paula - Defend Survivors

2 days ago

Adoptees start to realize they were in a controlling relationship when they begin to search for their family and their adoptive family gets upset.
#coercivecontrol #adopteevoices

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Parental Network 🇪🇺💙💛

@europarental.bsky.social

3 days ago

We really appreciate @drcocchiola.bsky.social works on #CoerciveControl especially regarding children.
We’d like to share with her @redune.bsky.social Pr Carlos Bardavio works on #CoercivePersuasion as it stands for Spanish Law proposal

Could we chat?
Cc @cultexpert.freedomofmind.com #MindControl

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15 Warning Signs of Jealous and Possessive Behavior in a Relationship Recognize the signs of a jealous and possessive partner. Learn about the 15 red flags that indicate unhealthy and abusive behavior in your relationship.

3 days ago

A bit of #jealousy is normal in relationships, but when does it cross the line into control? Learn how to recognize possessiveness and identify when it turns abusive. #CoerciveControl

shadowsofcontrol.com/articl...

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INFRAGARD AFFILIATED Trader Joe’s News

@traderjoesnews.bsky.social

3 days ago

#TheTraitors show exactly who Infragard picks to fight "the war on domestic terrorism" & got fooled into helping #TheEpsteinFiles corporate bro's run #CorporateRetaliation #CoerciveControl & #FinancialAbuse tactics on due process stripped innocent people #MeToo #STOP702

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4 days ago

Not everything is as it seems with a controlling abuser - even gestures, gifts, and generosity can come with a hidden agenda.

#coercivecontrol #emotionalabuse

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4 days ago

S1E11 Carol Merchasin on the Legal Landscape of Coercive Control What does it take to hold coercive organizations legally accountable? Attorney Carol Merchasin—known in some circles as "the cult ninja"—joins Cara for a deep dive into the legal landscape survivors face when seeking justice. Carol traces her path from large law firm partner to specialist in high-control group litigation, including the pivotal influence of Anita Hill's testimony and how it revealed the cultural divide around coercion. She breaks down the Human Trafficking Act, explaining why "trafficking" is broader than most people realize and how it's been used against groups like NXIVM and OneTaste. Carol clarifies the difference between criminal and civil courts, what "coercion that negates consent" actually means, and why juries still struggle with psychological harm the way they once struggled with workplace harassment. The conversation explores why the law alone isn't the answer, why "I could have left" misunderstands how coercion works, and what it takes—from brain science to media to survivor testimony—to shift the culture toward real accountability. Content Note: Discussion of sexual assault, coercion, human trafficking, and institutional harm. ABOUT CAROL MERCHASIN: Carol Merchasin has substantial experience investigating, litigating, and publicly addressing sexual abuse, exploitation, forced labor, and coercive control within high-demand and high-control groups. She is the founder and former leader of a specialized litigation practice devoted exclusively to these issues. Widely engaged in interdisciplinary dialogue through public education, media, and conference speaking, Carol is committed to survivor-centered, ethically grounded, and collaborative approaches. Carol was a partner at Morgan, Lewis in Philadelphia with experience in addressing sexual misconduct and discrimination in the workplaces of Fortune 50 companies and the head of team of lawyers litigating on behalf of plaintiffs in coercive spiritual organizations at McAllister Olivarius. Carol's current legal practice has focused on coercive control and undue influence; sexual abuse in spiritual and religious communities; forced labor and human trafficking (civil) in high-demand and high-control groups; civil RICO and systemic abuse litigation; survivor-centered investigation and advocacy. As member of the Board of the International Cultic Studies Association, she has collaborated closely with clinicians, scholars, survivor-advocates, and other professionals. She has been a guest on more than thirty-five podcasts; had numerous television and media interviews in the United States and Canada; and been a speaker at national and international conferences across legal, therapeutic, academic, and survivor-centered communities. RESOURCES: Safer Sex-Positive and Spiritual Communities: 3SC.Community ICSA (International Cultic Studies Association): ICSA.org Seek Safely: https://seeksafely.org/ Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 CONNECT: Conversations like these helped me get through the darkest times, and I hope they help us get through dark times together. If this episode resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you. Questions or feedback: foolsgoldpodcast@proton.me Substack: https://caracordoni.substack.com/ Instagram: @caracordoni Like what you're hearing? Subscribe, share with someone who might benefit, and leave a review. Your engagement helps others find these conversations. CREDITS: Graphics: Paxton Scarberry | Music: "Midnight Rendezvous" by Sasha Ende (ende.app) Licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0

"Carol Merchasin on the Legal Landscape of #CoerciveControl"
Fool's Gold: Discernment in the Age of Grift
15 Apr 2026 [1:28:27]
#HumanTrafficking #NXIVM #OneTaste #Cult
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/wq2qX6Y-3EamUX476vatQQ

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Reactive Abuse or Reactive Defense? How Mislabeling Harms DV Victims The term "reactive abuse" mislabels victims’ defensive reactions to provocation. The term "reactive defense" better reflects responses to coercive control and domestic abuse.

4 days ago

The term "reactive abuse" unfairly blames victims for their defensive reactions to provocation in abusive situations. This article argues that "reactive defense" is a more accurate way to describe these responses to #coercivecontrol and #gaslighting.

shadowsofcontrol.com/articl...

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INFRAGARD AFFILIATED Trader Joe’s News

@traderjoesnews.bsky.social

4 days ago

#BelieveSurvivors #MeToo #CoerciveControl #SAawarenessMonth

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Narcissistic Abuse Rehab

@narcabuserehab.bsky.social

5 days ago

How to Recover from a Dusty Man Explore the concept of a dusty man, a term rooted in history and culture describing a specific type of exploitative man who is best avoided.

Date smarter, not harder 💘

Learn to build healthy, fulfilling relationships by recognizing the dusty man early 🌪️

#DatingAdvice
#KnowYourValue
#NarcissisticAbuse
#CoerciveControl

www.narcissisticabuserehab.com/how-to-recov...

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Oliver Lewis

@droliverlewis.bsky.social

5 days ago

The timing of the conference was particularly meaningful for me, as I prepare for the publication of my forthcoming book on #coercivecontrol next week. The discussions in NYC confirmed that this is an area where law and practice are evolving rapidly, where continued dialogue is essential.

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6 days ago

Criminal coercive control bill to appear before South Carolina lawmakers Criminal coercive control bill to appear before South Carolina lawmakers WBTW News13 is the #1 source for news in the Myrtle Beach and Florence, South Carolina areas. Stay up-to-date with all of the information you need to know by following us: Website: https://www.wbtw.com/ Live Newscasts: https://www.wbtw.com/watch-live/ Other Live Streams: https://www.wbtw.com/live-events/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WBTWNews13 Twitter: https://twitter.com/WBTWNews13 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wbtwnews13/ Sign up for Breaking News Email Alerts: https://nxslink.wbtw.com/join/6sd/signup Be the first to get Breaking News alerts by downloading the free News13 mobile app iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wbtw-news-13/id540732783 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nexstar.id3550 Meet the News13 Team: https://www.wbtw.com/about-us/meet-the-team/ Contact us: https://www.wbtw.com/contact-us/

"Criminal #CoerciveControl Bill to Appear before South Carolina Lawmakers"
WBTW News13 @wbtwnews13.bsky.social
13 Apr 2026 [0:00:53]
#MicaMiller #SolidRockMinistries #Cult
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/ExkflTaYjEKtc9OC0KxP4w

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6 days ago

Public charm is not proof of private kindness. Many abusers protect their image while harming those closest to them.
#CoerciveControl

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43. Reclaiming Your Voice: The Subtle Tyranny of Coercive Control In this compelling episode of Social Leopards, host Beth delves into the intricacies of coercive control with insights from survivor and writer Samara Knight. Samara shares her journey through emotional abuse, highlighting how victims often lose their sense of choice and autonomy in relationships where control doesn’t leave physical scars. Through testimonies and personal reflections, the episode sheds light on the profound challenges of reclaiming one’s decision-making ability and the silent battles faced by survivors.This poignant discussion explores the ways coercive control affects everyday decisions, from mundane choices to life-altering ones, often leaving a lasting psychological impact even after the relationship ends. Samara's story is a powerful reminder of the resilience required to regain personal agency and the importance of offering support and space to those healing from such experiences.Tune in for a deeply moving narrative that underscores the silent erosion of autonomy in abusive dynamics and emphasizes the empowering journey of reclaiming the right to decide in one’s own life. About our featured contributor: Samara Knight is a writer, researcher, and survivor advocating for awareness and freedom from coercive control and emotional abuse. Her personal experiences in a cult and a 12-year coercive marriage fuels her work. With a BSc in Psychology and ongoing MSc studies in the Psychology of Coercive Control, she runs a Substack page and Shadows of Control, a website dedicated to sharing personal narratives and professional insights into coercive control. How to find Samara:Website: shadowsofcontrol.comSubstack: @shadowsofcontrolThreads: @shadowsofcontrolX: shadows_controlFacebook: shadowsofcontrolBlueSky: shadowsofcontrol.bsky.socialCONTACT US AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:Beth responds personally to all communications received. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/life-lessons-with-social-leopards--6840285/support.Want to help keep these episodes coming? Buy host Beth Butram a coffee at ko-fi.com/bethpodcast. Never required but always appreciated!Join the Spreaker.com Supporters Club to enjoy each episode ad-free!Connect with Podcasts by Beth: Substack: substack.com/@bethbutramInstagram: instagram.com/podcastsbybethThank you for listening. Comments, subscribes, follows and likes are greatly appreciated! Other Podcasts by Beth productions to check out: Affirmations for Calm & ConfidenceCalm in Minutes: Meditations for Stress & AnxietyThe Meditation Nest: Calming Sleep StoriesIt is hoped that this episode brings you encouragement, enlightenment and strategies to cope with all the things that bring on emotions in adulthood.

6 days ago

"43. Reclaiming your Voice: The Subtle Tyranny of #CoerciveControl"
Life Lessons with Social Leopards @shadowsofcontrol.bsky.social
13 Apr 2026 [0:21:40]
#Cult
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/EvQXZ85vkUCbx_i3Ssu6mA

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Anna - Please boost pinned tweet.🙏

@halcionandon.bsky.social

6 days ago

So incredibly wrecked.

Must escape to #Covid conscious place soon.

I’ve had it 4 times in 20 months because nobody is masking here & constant #abuse #neglect #coercivecontrol

Losing ability to fight off infections. Dr says this will kill me & it will if I don’t get out.

Is anyone out there?

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1 week ago

Constant surveillance and accusations are warning signs of coercive control.
#ControllingBehavior #CoerciveControl

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Jim Fletcher

@jimfletcher.bsky.social

1 week ago

500 who, at least, got to choose the time of their arrest

Millions more oppose #Genocide, support #PalestineAction, and fear their doors being kicked in before dawn as #Israel exerts further #CoerciveControl over the #UK government

#Starmer protects a #WarCriminal, #complicit in #Genocide

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Private Investigators and Domestic Abuse: A Deadly Combination Uncover the dangers of private investigators in cases of domestic abuse. Learn how lack of regulation enables abusers to stalk and control their victims.

1 week ago

Restraining/protection orders will stop an abuser getting near their partner or stalking them. So what happens when they just hire someone to do it for them? #coercivecontrol #stalking #postseparationabuse

shadowsofcontrol.com/in-the...

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Kathryn Jones

@kathrynjones.bsky.social

1 week ago

Milne convicted by HC in Glasgow of culpable #homicide following sustained coercive and abusive behaviour leading to Kimberly Bruce’s death. Only a handful of prosecutions of this kind. 2 cases also progressing through the courts in E&W, alongside #coercivecontrol cases centred on #financialabuse.

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Pete Quily

@pqpolitics.bsky.social

1 week ago

_whatmakesaman_ on Instagram: "This film from @isthisokgm explores #CoerciveControl really well and shows how abusers start with small demands and then the ‘rules…" This film from @isthisokgm explores #CoerciveControl really well and shows how abusers start with small demands and then the ‘rules’ they create ramp up and ramp up until the victim doesn’t know what they’re ’allowed to do’. It includes confidence erosion, humiliation and policing friends, clothes and going out etc. Also links shared to @youthendowfund research findings showing it’s on the increase amongst young people and how technology is used to facilitate it. LINK 🔗 IN BIO FOR COURSES FOR PARENTS AND SCHOOLS. #heforshe #coercivecontrol #domesticabuse #toxicmasculinity #whatmakesaman #mvawg #feminism #vawg #pshe #rse

Until the victim doesn’t know what they’re ’allowed to do’.

It includes confidence erosion, humiliation and policing friends, clothes and going out etc.

#CoerciveControl

www.instagram.com/p/DNF_2MtMZ-M/

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Pete Quily

@pqpolitics.bsky.social

1 week ago

_whatmakesaman_ on Instagram: "This film from @isthisokgm explores #CoerciveControl really well and shows how abusers start with small demands and then the ‘rules…" This film from @isthisokgm explores #CoerciveControl really well and shows how abusers start with small demands and then the ‘rules’ they create ramp up and ramp up until the victim doesn’t know what they’re ’allowed to do’. It includes confidence erosion, humiliation and policing friends, clothes and going out etc. Also links shared to @youthendowfund research findings showing it’s on the increase amongst young people and how technology is used to facilitate it. LINK 🔗 IN BIO FOR COURSES FOR PARENTS AND SCHOOLS. #heforshe #coercivecontrol #domesticabuse #toxicmasculinity #whatmakesaman #mvawg #feminism #vawg #pshe #rse

Wow this is terrifying.

If you don't know what #CoerciveControl is?

Watch this

This film from @isthisokgm explores #CoerciveControl really well and shows how abusers start with small demands and then the ‘rules’ they create ramp up and ramp up until

www.instagram.com/p/DNF_2MtMZ-M/

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@droliverlewis.bsky.social

1 week ago

Children Are Not Witnesses: The Truth About Coercive Control with Dr. Emma Katz In this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m joined by Dr. Emma Katz, criminologist and author of Coercive Control in Children’s and Mothers’ Lives. Emma is one of the leading researchers in the world examining how coercive control impacts children—not just as witnesses, but as direct victims navigating survival, attachment, and identity. Together, we explore how children experience coercive control in deeply complex ways, how abusers strategically target the mother-child bond, and why so many systems continue to misunderstand—or completely overlook—the perpetrator’s role. This conversation offers both profound validation and hope, highlighting the resilience of children and the critical role of protective parents in healing and recovery. What we cover Why children are not “witnesses” but direct victims of coercive control How perpetrators strategically target and damage the mother-child relationship The three ways children experience abusive fathers: dangerous, “admirable,” and omnipresent How manipulation, intermittent reinforcement, and fear shape children’s attachment Why children may align with the abusive parent—and why that is not a choice The psychological impact of coercive control on children’s identity, safety, and development The resilience of children and the power of attachment with a protective parent What recovery can look like for families after coercive control Why listen If you are a protective parent, survivor, clinician, or professional working with families, this episode offers essential insight into how coercive control shapes children’s experiences—and why traditional frameworks often get it wrong. Dr. Emma’s research brings clarity to what many families are living through, while also offering hope: children can heal, attachment can be rebuilt, and protective parenting matters more than anything. Guest bio (short) Dr. Emma Katz is a criminologist, researcher, and author specializing in coercive control and its impact on women and children. She is the author of Coercive Control in Children’s and Mothers’ Lives and writes extensively about domestic abuse, family dynamics, and systemic responses. Her work has been instrumental in shifting the understanding of children as active victims of coercive control rather than passive witnesses. Learn more about Dr. Emma Katz Substack: https://emmakatz.substack.com/ Book (Coercive Control in Children’s and Mothers’ Lives): https://www.amazon.com/Coercive-Control-Childrens-Mothers-Lives/dp/0190922214 Connect with Dr. Christine Protective Parenting Program: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/services/for-parents/ Official site: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrCocchiola-coercivecontrol/videos TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.c_coercivecontrol Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol/ TEDxTalk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp2qByKOue4&t=24s Books: https://url-shortener.me/c/FramedBook https://url-shortener.me/c/EveryMomentOfEveryDay If this episode landed for you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it, subscribe for more trauma-informed conversations, and consider leaving a review — it helps other survivors find validation and safety. 🩵 — Dr. Christine Cocchiola & guest Dr. Emma Katz 🔸Follow Dr. Christine on IG: www.instagram.com/dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol 🔸Visit her website: https://coercivecontrolconsulting.com 🔸Become a Certified Trauma-Informed Protective Parent in this intensive educational program with an option for LIVE coaching/support to guide protective parents as they navigate the stormy seas of parenting a child who has been coercively controlled. 🔸Sign up here: https://go.drcocchiola.com/accelerated2-selfstudy

"Children are not Witnesses: The Truth about #CoerciveControl with Dr. Emma Katz"
Perfect Prey: A Coercive Control Podcast @drcocchiola.bsky.social @dremmakatz.bsky.social
10 Apr 2026 [0:43:06]
#Cult
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/N9sDIxi5rE6s7ouawPhTFQ

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Oliver Lewis

1 week ago

A significant legal milestone in Scotland. A jury has found a perpetrator of domestic abuse including #coercivecontrol, guilty of 'culpable homicide' of his partner Kimberly Milne, who died by suicide. news.sky.com/story/lee-mi...

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TBorNOTtb

@baloniusthunk.bsky.social

1 week ago

We need to exit this abusive relationship The whole world is experiencing what it’s like to be the victim of a coercive control relationship. Even here in Byron Bay our lives are being psychologically shaped, and materially impacted by the dementing malignant narcissist and his sadistic sidekick, with a pattern of abuse all too familiar, particularly to women.

“Coercive control is not confined to intimate partner relationships, it’s the modus operandi of patriarchy itself. The phase we are in currently though is potentially the most dangerous.” #auspol #coercivecontrol www.echo.net.au/2026/04/we-n...

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Equality Party

@equalityparty.bsky.social

1 week ago

#Equality #ViolenceAgainstWomen #VAWG #DomesticAbuse #CoerciveControl #JusticeForWomen #WomensRights #UKPolitics #Feminism

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ScotlandYardCSI

@scotlandyardcsi.bsky.social

1 week ago

Tuesday briefing: What is driving the record rise in stalking offences? In today’s newsletter: As cases charged hit their highest level on record in England and Wales, a look at what is behind the increase and whether the criminal justice system is keeping pace

In most cases, the perpetrator is not a stranger. “There’s a perception that stalking is someone you don’t know following you home. But actually, it’s often someone already in your life – and very often an ex-partner.”

www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...

#Stalking #CoerciveControl #MVAWG

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Hil J

@hilj.bsky.social

1 week ago

I did not know about this "help me" hand signal until now! As recovering parents of a daughter who was trapped in #coercivecontrol (too much of it about 🤬), we approve of anything that might counter it.
youtube.com/shorts/cmKcf...

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1 week ago

Unlearning the Abuse: Life After a Coercive Controller with David Challen What happens when abuse is normalized? In Part 2 of this deep dive, Laura and David Challen (author of The Unthinkable) excavate the insidious patterns of coercive control that defined David’s childhood. They move beyond the "incidents" to patterns and analyze the systemic psychological warfare used by a coercive controller to dominate a family for 40 years. In this episode, Laura and David break down: * Normalizing the Abnormal: How children adapt to living with a predator and the lasting effects on identity. * Subtle Warning Signs: Identifying the "silent" red flags that are often missed by family, friends, and the law. * The Power of Language: Why recognizing these behaviours in the legal system is a matter of life and death. * Men as the Solution: How to change the narrative and involve men in preventing and stopping controlling behavior. CALL TO ACTION If you want to understand the patterns of criminal behavior and survivor advocacy, make sure to subscribe and hit the bell icon. 🕵️‍♂️ 📖 Get the Book: You can find The Unthinkable by David Challen at retailers like Amazon, Foyles, and QBD Books. Follow David: X @david_challen IG @DavidChallen Follow Dr Laura Richards, Honoris Causa Website: https://www.crime-analyst.com https://www.thelaurarichards.com Crime Analyst Squad on Patreon: patreon.com/CrimeAnalyst DASH Risk Identification, Assessment and Management Model: https://www.dashriskchecklist.com/ Instagram: @crimeanalyst YouTube: @crimeanalyst #TrueCrime #CrimeAnalyst #CoerciveControl #SallyChallen #DavidChallen #CriminalProfiling #DomesticAbuse #TheUnthinkable #Education #Awareness #Manipulation #Murder #Manslaughter

"#CoerciveControl: A Child's Unthinkable Journey with David Challen, part 2"
Crime Analyst @crimeanalyst.bsky.social @davidchallen.bsky.social
6 Apr 2026 [0:53:34]
#Cult
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/oRoOJsusAUuIltjiTJm13g

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