Inquest Highlights Coercive Control and Digital Abuse in Lilie James Murder
The ongoing inquest into the 2023 murder of Lilie James by Paul Thijssen examines systemic failures, with experts emphasizing the role of coercive control and technology-facilitated abuse.
- Paul Thijssen murdered Lilie James in October 2023 after escalating patterns of coercive control, manipulation, and stalking during their short relationship.
- Experts testified that Thijssen's use of Snapchat and other digital tools to monitor James exemplifies technology-facilitated abuse and coercion.
- The inquest revealed that societal misinterpretations of controlling behaviors as care contributed to missed warning signs in the relationship.
- Thijssen's fragile sense of self and perceived loss of control, particularly after a 21st birthday party James attended, were identified as key triggers for his violent actions.
- The inquest is set to conclude with testimony from the eSafety Commissioner and statements from James' family, focusing on systemic issues surrounding gender-based violence.
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