*Learned Helplessness: Women, Structural Abuse, and the Coercive Control of the Workers' Compensation System

In an era where awareness of gender-based violence is at an all-time high, the concept of coercive control—an insidious form of psychological abuse that traps victims in a state of fear and dependency—has become increasingly recognized. While coercive control is most often discussed in the context of intimate partner violence, it is also disturbingly present in other areas of life, including within bureaucratic systems like Workers' Compensation. For women navigating these systems after a workplace injury, the experience can mirror the psychological torment of coercive control, leading to a profound sense of learned helplessness.

The Shattered Docuseries exposes how 5 women have been abused in the $60bn Workers' Compensation Schemes around Australia. The suffering and fracturing of entire lives through a system meant to heal cannot be understated and the system appears paralysed with inaction unable to comprehend the magnitude of harm it is causing through poor claims management, administered by an unskilled workforce (noting the system is endeavouring to address this longer term) and, 'processes' that delegitimise suffering such as inadequate apology letters that talk to the perpetrator's, desire to 'learn from the experience'.

All of the women describe that being in a 'relationship' with an insurer is akin to being in a relationship with a DFV perpetrator. To then be subjected to surveillance by these perpetrators and, subjected to Independent Medical Assessments to challenge an injury, sometimes a workplace sexual assault, sets a woman up to fail when the reality is, these severe trauma incidents requires psychological care not harm.

Remarkably, despite all the outcry on National Media about abuse of women in workplaces such as the recent Channel 7 Four Corners program, Workers' Compensation as a system has to date been unable to self reflect on their ongoing role in the abuse of women who may require care if they come into contact with the system through an injury.

Nor have they been able to step away from their adversarial business model designed specifically to minimise payouts. Non Disclosure Agreements continue to be the norm in the legal profession within this sector and opportunities missed to lead the legal profession as a whole by advocating for allowing people to own their own stories to heal should be the norm not the exception.

Even the mediation process at the Personal Injury Commission is not victim focused. It is about an imbalance of power with the perpetrator holding the settlement purse after having driven the victim in poverty during a claims process that they created to maximise the harm.

The System has a significant behaviour problem and Regulators have consistently failed to embrace lived and living experiences that challenges their own thinking to drive sustainable solutions. You cannot solve such significant societal inequity and harm with 'like attracts like' conversations. Listening to understand and take immediate action must be the norm.

Understanding Learned Helplessness

Learned helplessness is a psychological condition where individuals, repeatedly subjected to uncontrollable and adverse situations, come to believe that they are powerless to change their circumstances. This mindset is not merely a state of mind but a deeply ingrained belief that any effort to escape or improve one’s situation is futile. Over time, this leads to passivity, depression, and a diminished ability to advocate for oneself.

In the context of Workers' Compensation, women who are subjected to the structural abuses of the system—endless red tape, denial of claims, and the dehumanizing process of proving their worthiness for compensation—often find themselves trapped in a cycle of helplessness. The system, rather than serving as a source of support and recovery, becomes another source of trauma.

The Coercive Control of Bureaucratic Systems

Coercive control is traditionally understood as a pattern of behavior in intimate relationships where the abuser seeks to dominate their partner through a combination of isolation, manipulation, and fear. However, the same dynamics can be seen in bureaucratic systems that hold power over individuals' lives.

In Workers' Compensation, women may find themselves subjected to constant surveillance, with their actions and even their pain scrutinized by insurers and employers. They may be forced to undergo repeated assessments by medical professionals who are more focused on minimizing costs than on the patient’s well-being. Every aspect of their recovery is dictated by external authorities, stripping them of autonomy and reinforcing a sense of powerlessness.

For many women, the system’s insistence on proving their injury, pain, and worthiness for compensation becomes a form of psychological abuse. The denial of claims, delays in processing, and constant questioning of their integrity mirror the tactics used by coercive controllers in abusive relationships. The result is a devastating impact on their mental health, leaving them feeling trapped, hopeless, and unable to challenge the system.

Structural Abuse in the Workers' Compensation System

Structural abuse refers to the ways in which societal structures and institutions perpetuate inequality and harm. In the Workers' Compensation system, structural abuse is evident in how the system is designed to prioritize the interests of employers and insurers over the needs of injured workers, particularly women. This abuse is compounded by gender biases that may dismiss or diminish women’s pain and suffering, leading to inadequate care and support.

Women who speak out against this abuse often face further retaliation, being labeled as “difficult” or “uncooperative.” This retaliation serves to further silence them, reinforcing their learned helplessness and perpetuating the cycle of abuse. The system, rather than being a pathway to recovery, becomes a mechanism of control that strips women of their dignity and autonomy.

The Intersection of Violence Against Women and Bureaucratic Control

The connection between violence against women and the structural abuse within the Workers' Compensation system is stark. Just as coercive controllers in abusive relationships use psychological manipulation to dominate their victims, the Workers' Compensation system exerts its control through bureaucratic power. Women who are already vulnerable due to workplace injuries find themselves subjected to a system that perpetuates their suffering rather than alleviating it.

The impact of this systemic violence is profound. Women may experience anxiety, depression, and PTSD as a result of their interactions with the system. The constant battle to be believed, to have their pain recognized, and to secure the compensation they deserve becomes a source of ongoing trauma. In the worst cases, the system’s failures can lead to financial ruin, social isolation, and even suicidal ideation.

Breaking the Cycle: The Need for Reform and Support

Addressing the issue of learned helplessness and structural abuse within the Workers' Compensation system requires a fundamental shift in how the system operates. It requires recognizing the ways in which the system mirrors coercive control and taking steps to empower women rather than disempower them. This means providing adequate support, timely compensation, and treating injured workers with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Moreover, it requires holding the system accountable for the harm it causes. Just as society is beginning to recognize and address coercive control in personal relationships, so too must we recognize and address the coercive control exercised by bureaucratic systems over vulnerable individuals.

Women who have been harmed by the Workers' Compensation system must be given a voice. Their experiences of structural abuse and learned helplessness should not be dismissed or ignored. Instead, they should be central to the conversation about reform, ensuring that the system serves the people it was designed to protect rather than further victimizing them.

In conclusion, the Workers' Compensation system, in its current form, functions as a coercive controller, perpetuating learned helplessness among women who seek its help. To break this cycle, we must acknowledge the system’s failures, listen to the voices of those it has harmed, and work towards a system that truly supports recovery and justice for all.