How the isolation of rural life can become an abuser’s weapon
Trigger warnings: coercive control, abuse, violence against women, femicide
There is a difference between rural abuse and urban abuse.
In 2018, 14-year old Georgia Gabriel-Hooper (UK) witnessed the murder of her mother Cheryl, by her former partner Andrew Hooper. Georgia was sat in the car when Hooper, who had been coercively controlling, abusing and stalking Cheryl for months, appeared with a gun and killed her mum.
The isolation of living on a farm in a very rural area, Georgia says, made isolating and alienating her mother from her support system – her friends and family – easier. When women feel they have no support system left, they don’t see a way out of an abusive relationship.
Listen to the three part interview of Georgia by renowned crime analyst and expert in violence against women, Laura Richards, in the Crime Analyst podcast and let’s get start a very important conversation about abusive and coercive control in rural areas and on farms.
Listen tot the first episode here
If you want to know more about coercive control, the silent killer in abusive relationships, please consult this link.
If you or someone you know are experiencing abuse, call your local alarm line or find resources on your local victim support organisation to get help.
Go to wannatalkaboutit.com to find support and help in your area.
Image: Antonio Cansino/Pixabay
