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 Workplace bullying is a persistent pattern of mistreatment from others in the workplace that causes physical and/or emotional harm. It includes verbal, nonverbal Nonverbal communication is the transmission of messages or signals through a non ...

,Rayner C, Hoel H, Cooper CL Workplace Bullying: What we know, who is to blame and what can we do? (2001)Peyton PR Dignity at Work: Eliminate Bullying and Create a Positive Working Environment (2003)

elder abuse Elder abuse (also called elder mistreatment, senior abuse, abuse in later life, abuse of older adults, abuse of older women, and abuse of older men) is a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where ...

domestic abuse Domestic violence is violence that occurs in a domestic setting, such as in a marriage or cohabitation. In a broader sense, abuse including nonphysical abuse in such settings is called domestic abuse. The term "domestic violence" is often use ...

child abuse Child abuse (also called child endangerment or child maltreatment) is physical abuse, physical, child sexual abuse, sexual, emotional and/or psychological abuse, psychological maltreatment or Child neglect, neglect of a child, especially by a p ...

, and cults. 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. Isolation of the victim from the outside world is an important element of psychological control.''Global and regional estimates of violence against women: prevalence and health effects of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence.''
World Health Organization. 2013. . p. 7. 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 they can read or watch.''Power and Control.''
Duluth Model. Retrieved April 19, 2014. It can also 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''Economic abuse wheel''
/ref> * smearing or discrediting the abused amongst their community so the abused does not get help or support from othersBailey-Rug C (2016) It's Not You, It's Them: When People Are More Than Selfish * divide and conquer

In cults

Various isolation techniques may be used by cults: * 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

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. Workplace isolation is a defined category in the workplace power and control wheel.Power & Control in the Workplace
American Institute on Domestic Violence

References

{{Domestic violence Power (social and political) concepts Control (social and political) Abuse Workplace harassment and bullying Psychological abuse Domestic violence