The 2021 National Summit on Women’s Safety highlighted the problem of ‘coercive control’ (CC) in intimate partner relationships. Although many activists support criminalising the behaviour, others caution against responses likely to reinforce social inequalities. Moreover, criminal laws are ill-suited to prevent the abuse of power. How can researchers contribute to tackling this problem? To meet this challenge, this multi-disciplinary Working Group is undertaking research that probes understandings of CC across time, culture, and language; develops educational tools for men and women; interrogates CC through the arts; and raises consciousness of CC within and beyond intimate relationships.