Trapped!

Poverty!

Gut Wrenching!

There are 3 types of financial abuse that frequently occur at the same time as other forms of domestic violence. Financial abuse is also one of the key reasons victims of domestic violence stay in an abusive relationship or return to their abuser after they have left. No-one can survive without money and it’s especially hard when children are involved.

One form of financial abuse prevents or restricts the victim’s access to the family finances. They don’t know where the money goes, how it is used and their own spending on family expenses (like groceries) is heavily scrutinised. This type of financial abuse traps and imprisons victims because they can’t get access to the money they need to escape and pay for life’s essentials – like accommodation.

Another form of financial abuse creates debt that the victim is jointly responsible to repay – even when she has no idea the loan existed. These victims may not understand the reasons for the family’s money problems. They just know they need to work hard without ever feeling like they are getting on top of their financial situation. Alternatively, the victim may believe the couple is saving hard for something like a house or retirement, only to discover there are no savings. All the family income has been frittered away by the abuser and there’s nothing left.

The third form of financial abuse occurs once the victim leaves the relationship. Things like financial settlements or child support payments are delayed in a bid to punish, maintain control or aggravate the victim.

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