Empowering Survivors of Economic Abuse
What is economic abuse?
Economic abuse involves the deliberate misuse or manipulation of finances, assets, and resources to gain control over another person, either in the present or with an intention to maintain power in the future.
This type of abuse is often subtle and methodical, frequently co-occurring with other forms of abuse, such as physical, emotional, or digital abuse. It is widely acknowledged as a form of coercive control.
What does economic abuse involve?
Perpetrators of economic abuse often restrict, control, or undermine the financial independence of their partner or another individual. This can manifest in various ways, including:
Restricting Access to Money: For example, an abuser might prevent their partner from having their own bank account or credit card, or may strictly control all spending, requiring receipts for every purchase.
Sabotaging Employment: An abuser could discourage or outright prevent their partner from pursuing a career, such as destroying their work equipment or interfering with their transportation, like hiding car keys.
Accumulating Debt: In some cases, the perpetrator may take out loans or credit in the victim’s name without their consent, leaving them burdened with financial liabilities.
Exploiting Assets: This could include selling or misusing the victim's possessions or assets, such as withdrawing funds from their savings account or selling their car without permission.
The primary goal of economic abuse is to deny the victim access to basic necessities, such as housing, food, or healthcare, and to erode their independence.
The impact of economic abuse
Victims of this abuse often become economically reliant on the abuser, making it challenging to leave the relationship. For instance, a victim might feel trapped because they lack the financial resources to secure alternative housing or provide for their children. Over time, this dependency can also erode the victim’s confidence and ability to make independent decisions.
Economic abuse creates an environment where the victim feels trapped, not just emotionally but also financially, making it a powerful tool for control.
