Ep #361 The 530-Day Trap: Coercive Control, Strangulation and the Fight for Paris’s Law with Paris Shears

Paris Shears never imagined that the man she fell in love with would groom, physically harm and control her. What began as a seemingly loving relationship became a pattern of coercive control, intimidation and violence that left her fearing for her life. 

When Paris's former partner was charged with offences including intentional strangulation and assault, he initially pleaded not guilty. After more than a year with the trial looming over her head, Paris went to court for the first day of the trial, and there was a closed meeting where he changed his plea and took a deal. The consequences have been devastating for Paris which is why she  launched a petition calling for Paris's Law, and urgent reform so perpetrators cannot control victims once charged and benefit from changing their plea at the last minute in cases involving domestic abuse and coercive control.  

In this episode Laura and Paris discuss: 

Paris's relationship and the gradual progression of coercive control.  

Grooming behaviours and how predators identify and exploit vulnerability.  

The impact of people-pleasing, trauma and self-abandonment.  

Red flags and behavioural patterns that should never be ignored.  

Why coercive control is often misunderstood by family, friends and professionals.  

The criminal charges brought against Paris's former partner and the outcome of the case.  

The impact of late guilty pleas on victims and the justice process.  

Paris's Law campaign and the reforms Paris hopes to achieve.  

Why behavioural analysis and pattern recognition are critical to preventing violence against women and girls.