Coercive control domestic violence California law now specifically recognizes as a form of coercive control California courts address in DVRO proceedings as a form of abuse that qualifies for a domestic violence restraining order. In 2021, California amended Family Code section 6320 to explicitly include coercive control as domestic violence — making California one of the first states in the nation to codify this recognition. Understanding what is coercive control California courts now address, how it differs from physical violence, and how to document it for a DVRO petition is essential for survivors whose abuse did not primarily involve physical assault.
What Is Coercive Control Under California Law?
Coercive control family law California defines under Family Code section 6320(c) as a pattern of behavior that seeks to take away the liberty or freedom of the other party and gain power and control over that party. Coercive control includes: isolating the party from family, friends, or support networks; depriving them of basic necessities; controlling, regulating, or monitoring the party's movements, communications, finances, economic resources, or access to services; compelling the party by force, threat, or intimidation to engage in conduct from which the party has the right to abstain or refrain from conduct in which they have the right to engage; and using the party's immigration status to threaten, intimidate, or control them.
What is coercive control California courts evaluate? It is a pattern — not a single incident. Courts look at the totality of the controlling behavior across time rather than isolating individual acts. A partner who controls all finances, monitors all phone calls, restricts contact with family, and uses threats of immigration enforcement or child custody loss to maintain control has engaged in coercive control even if they have never physically struck their partner.
Economic Abuse as Coercive Control California
Economic abuse coercive control California family courts address is one of the most common coercive control patterns. Economic abuse includes: preventing the partner from working or sabotaging employment; controlling all access to money and requiring permission for expenditures; running up debt in the partner's name without consent; destroying the partner's credit; withholding financial information; and using financial resources as a tool of reward and punishment. Economic abuse creates the financial dependency that makes leaving an abusive relationship so difficult.
How to Document Coercive Control for a DVRO
Coercive control divorce California cases require documentation of the pattern of controlling behavior. Evidence that supports a coercive control DVRO includes: text messages and emails showing controlling language, threats, or monitoring; bank records showing financial control; records of restricted communications (call logs, blocked numbers); witness declarations from friends, family, or professionals who observed the controlling behavior; records of any attempts to contact the victim's employer, friends, or family members to interfere with relationships; and a detailed declaration by the petitioner describing the specific controlling behaviors and their cumulative effect.
Furubotten Law, APC represents survivors of coercive control in DVRO proceedings throughout Orange County and Riverside County. Call (714) 795-3862 for a complimentary case evaluation.