Economic abuse

Economic Abuse is a form of abuse when one intimate partner has control over the other partner's access to economic resources, which diminishes the victim's capacity to support themselves and forces them to depend on the perpetrator financially.

Definition

Economic abuse is a form of domestic violence and is a common tactic used by abusers to gain power and control in a relationship. The forms of economic abuse may be subtle or overt but in general, include tactics to limit the partner’s access to assets or conceal information and accessibility to the family finances.

Forms of Economic Abuse

Economic abuse may take different forms, including:

• Preventing partner from working: The abuser prevents the victim from getting or keeping a job, making the victim completely dependent on them for money.

• Controlling how money is spent: The abuser does not allow the victim to have a say in how the money is spent. They may give the victim an allowance, closely monitor what they buy, or take their money away.

• Not allowing access to bank accounts: The abuser does not allow the victim to know about or have access to the family income.

• Running up large amounts of debt on joint accounts: The abuser runs up large amounts of debt on joint accounts, puts all the bills in the victim's name, or ruins the victim's credit score.

• Withholding funds for the victim or children to obtain basic needs: The abuser does not give or gives too little money to the victim to cover basic needs like food and medicine.

Effects of Economic Abuse

The effects of economic abuse can be devastating. In the short-term, access to assets is a critical component of safety planning for victims of domestic violence. In the long-term, access to assets is key to the economic security of these victims.

Prevention and Intervention

Prevention and intervention strategies include:

• Financial literacy training: This can help victims understand and take control of their financial situation.

• Job training programs: These can help victims gain the skills needed to get a job and support themselves.

• Legal assistance: Legal assistance can help victims understand their rights and work through the legal system to protect those rights.

See Also

• Domestic violence
• Financial literacy
• Job training programs
• Legal assistance

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