Isolation to facilitate abuse explained

Isolation (physical, social or emotional) is often used to facilitate power and control over someone for an abusive purpose. This applies in many contexts such as workplace bullying,^{[1] [2]} elder abuse,^{[3] [4]} domestic abuse,^{[5] [6]} child abuse,^{[7] [8]} and cults.^{[9] [10]}

Isolation reduces the opportunity of the abused to be rescued or escape from the abuse. It also helps disorient the abused and makes the abused more dependent on the abuser. The degree of power and control over the abused is contingent upon the degree of their physical or emotional isolation.^{[11] [12]}

Isolation of the victim from the outside world is an important element of psychological control.^[13] Isolation includes controlling a person's social activity: whom they see, whom they talk to, where they go and any other method to limit their access to others. It may also include limiting what material is read.^[14] It can include insisting on knowing where they are and requiring permission for medical care. The abuser exhibits hypersensitive and reactive jealousy.

Isolation can be aided by:

• economic abuse thus limiting the victim's actions as they may then lack the necessary resources to resist or escape from the abuse^[15]
• smearing or discrediting the abused amongst their community so the abused does not get help or support from others^{[16] [17]}
• divide and conquer^[18]

In cults

See main article: Cults. Various isolation techniques may be used by cults:^{[19] [20]}

• separating from family and community
• taking control of the handling of the victim's resources and property
• undoing (mind control)
• physical isolation
• extortion/dependency tactics
• controlling victim's access to necessities.

In workplace bullying

See main article: Workplace bullying. Isolation is a common element of workplace bullying. It includes preventing access to opportunities, physical or social isolation, withholding necessary information, keeping the target "out of the loop", ignoring or excluding.^{[1] [2]}

Workplace isolation is a defined category in the workplace power and control wheel.^[21]

Notes and References

1. Rayner C, Hoel H, Cooper CL Workplace Bullying: What we know, who is to blame and what can we do? (2001)
2. Peyton PR Dignity at Work: Eliminate Bullying and Create a Positive Working Environment (2003)
3. Web site: What is Elder Abuse? . CANHR . 2016-04-26 . 2016-10-01.
4. Book: Appendix B: Analysis of Elder Abuse and Neglect Definitions Under State Law | Elder Mistreatment: Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation in an Aging America | The National Academies Press . 10.17226/10406 . 22812026 . Nap.edu . 2016-10-01. 2003 . 978-0-309-08434-5 . National Research Council (US) Panel to Review Risk Prevalence of Elder Abuse Neglect . Bonnie . R. J. . Wallace . R. B. .
5. Web site: Intimate Partner Violence and Common Tactics Used by Abusive Partners | Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center . Sapac.umich.edu . 1999-02-22 . 2016-10-01.
6. Perspectives on Verbal and Psychological Abuse, ed. Dr. Roland Maiuro, PhD, pub. 1989
7. Elliott GC, Cunningham SM, Linder M, Colangelo M, Gross M . Child physical abuse and self-perceived social isolation among adolescents . Journal of Interpersonal Violence . 20 . 12 . 1663–84 . 2005 . 16246923 . 10.1177/0886260505281439 . 27544550 .
8. Web site: Emotional abuse . NSPCC . 2016-10-01.
9. Web site: Cult Information Centre: Caring for Cult Victims . Cultinformation.org.uk . 2016-10-01.
10. Web site: How Cults Work . Cultwatch . 2016-10-01.
11. Web site: The Theory and Practice of Blackmail . RAND . 1959-03-10 . 2016-10-01. Ellsberg . Daniel .
12. Web site: Ryan Richard Thoreson . Blackmail and Extortion of LGBT People in Sub-Saharan Africa | OutRight . Outrightinternational.org . 2010-06-02 . 2016-10-01.
13. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/85239/1/9789241564625_eng.pdf Global and regional estimates of violence against women: prevalence and health effects of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence.
14. http://www.theduluthmodel.org/pdf/PowerandControl.pdf Power and Control.
15. http://wdachoices.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/WDAH_flipchart_money_wheel.pdf Economic abuse wheel
16. Bailey-Rug C (2016) It's Not You, It's Them: When People Are More Than Selfish
17. Joseph Burgo (2016) The Narcissist You Know: Defending Yourself Against Extreme Narcissists in an All-About-Me Age
18. Hall J It’s You and Me Baby: Narcissist Head Games The Narcissist Family Files 27 Mar 2017
19. Web site: 9 Ways Groups Become Cults . Criminal Justice Degrees Guide . 2016-09-25 . 2016-10-01.
20. Web site: Isolation - Cult Mind Control Techniques . 2016-10-01.
21. http://www.ncdsv.org/images/Duthie_workplace-power-control-wheel_2013.pdf Power & Control in the Workplace