Economic abuse

Economic abuse frequently involves the abuser limiting or manipulating the victim’s capacity to acquire and manage their financial resources.

In many cases, the abuser will have exclusive access to the household’s finances, assets and income. They then use this power to limit or restrict access to money, credit facilities, goods, services, travel, food, and clothing.

Some perpetrators may seek to control their victim’s capacity to earn money. This could be keeping their victim’s out of the workforce or limiting the hours they’re able to work. Alternatively, they might not restrict employment, but will take full control of their victim’s income.

Economic abusers might resort to strategies such as stealing and damaging property that victims can’t fix or replace, refusing to pay bills, accumulating unauthorised debt in the victim’s name, and forcing victims to surrender control of your accounts.

Survivors of economic abuse experience a significant loss of freedom leaving them isolated, scared and degraded. The experiences of victims of economic abuse can have a lasting impact on their quality of life, mental health, and financial security.

• Your income or ability to work is sabotaged.
• You’re excluded from financial decisions.
• They control or deny you access to money.
• Access to financial resources, benefits, and information is controlled.
• All expenditure is dictated, tracked, or scrutinised.
• They refuse to contribute to household expenses.
• You’re forced to have to ask for money.
• Access to necessities, like food, clothing, or medications is prevented.
• They insist or manipulate so that accounts and property are in their name only.
• They coerce you into debt or build debt in your name without your knowledge.