Understanding Economic Abuse / Why Women Stay in Abusive Relationships
Lyric Golden Leigh
Physical violence, verbal attacks, or psychological manipulation are often the first things that come to mind when it comes to domestic or relationship violence. Yet, there are other forms of abuse that are just as harmful but receive less attention—economic abuse. Economic abuse is a leading factor in why women often feel trapped and unable to leave abusive relationships. Understanding what economic abuse is and how it creates barriers is crucial to offering support and solutions to those affected.
What Is Economic Abuse?
Economic abuse, often referred to as financial abuse, occurs when an abuser exerts control over their partner’s financial resources, rendering them dependent and powerless. It is not as visible as a bruise or as immediate as physical altercation, but its impact is as deeply damaging and long-lasting. The economic impact renders survivors with no money to rebuild their lives, with challenges of having to start over from scratch while overcoming a lack of long-term economic stability, poor or no credit rating, after incurring substantial amounts debt due to financial extortion and abuse.
Abusers may use various tactics to control their partner’s finances, including:
– **Restricting access to money: Preventing their partner from having access to bank accounts or cash.
– **Sabotaging employment: Sabotaging or preventing their partner from working or securing childcare, transportation, or even causing disturbances up at their workplace.
– **Exerting control of assets: Forcing their partner to sign over property, vehicles, or other valuables or taking over utility expenses, credit cards and creating debt in their name.
– **Withholding basic needs: Refusing to give money for items he deems as “unessential or unnecessary,” such as daily essentials, clothing, food.
-**Controlling purchases and / or access to electronic devices and technological resources.
Initially, the behaviors exhibited are his way of “Managing the household” exercising the proverbial, “Man of the house / Head of the Household,” which means to lead by example not to dictate or bully. While exercising these manly behaviors may appear admirable to those on the outside looking in, they mask the intimidation that eventually leads to fear and isolation, creating a web of dependency that traps his partner in the abusive relationship.
Why Economic Abuse Prevents Women from Leaving
Economic abuse creates significant barriers to leaving. Imagine trying to start over without a dollar to your name, or with ruined credit that prevents you from renting an apartment, getting a job or a loan. For most survivors, this is not just hypothetical—it is their reality. Statistically, 99% of domestic violence survivors report experiencing economic abuse. National prevalence, one in six women in the UK has experienced financial abuse in a current or former relationship.
Here are key reasons why Economic Abuse holds women back:
1. **Fear of Financial Instability: Women often stay because they fear the thought of facing homelessness, the humiliation of calling on and relaying on family and friends, facing the terror of being unable to feed their children. If the abuser has sole control of money, leaving may feel impossible. For example, a mother who knows her partner has drained their joint savings may endure abuse to ensure her children have a roof over their heads.
2. **Unexplained lack of funds, Acruing Credit and Debt: Abusers may open credit cards in their victim’s name, run up debt, or withhold bill payments, leaving the victim with poor credit. This sabotage can make rebuilding their life daunting.
3. **Isolation from Financial Knowledge: Often, abusers deliberately keep finances opaque, denying their partner any understanding of budgeting or managing money. Without this knowledge, victims may feel ill-equipped to manage financial independence. Legal savvy abusers create (POA) Power of Attorney exercising a legal right to control financial, business, and personal affairs by expressing an inability on the partner’s behalf to exert the mental capacity to manage their financial affairs.
4. **Employment Challenges: Abusers who prevent their partner from working may leave them with no job history or outdated skills, reducing their ability to find employment once they leave.
## Real-World Example
Take Amy*, for instance. She was financially dependent on her partner after leaving her job to raise their children. Initially, it felt like teamwork, but over time, he began controlling all the money. He questioned every purchase, refused to give her money for basics, and took out loans in her name. When she considered leaving, Amy realized she had no savings, no credit, and no job history. It took years for Amy to connect with local resources and finally leave.
*Name changed for privacy.
## Steps Toward Empowerment
If you or someone you know is experiencing economic abuse, understand that change is possible. Here are the actionable steps:
1. **Gather Documents Quietly: ** Collect important documents like identification, bank statements, credit reports, and social security cards to prepare for leaving.
2. **Open a Secret Bank Account: ** If it is safe to do so, open an account in your name and start saving tiny amounts. Women even begin hiding cash as a safety net.
3. **Seek Support Networks: ** Reach out to domestic violence shelters or organizations, you may find those that provide financial literacy programs, job training, and emergency funds.
4. **Learn About Legal Safeguards: ** Laws protect survivors from debts the abuser forced them into. Contact a legal advocate to explore your options.
## Supporting Survivors
If you suspect someone you know is experiencing economic abuse, be supportive without judgment. Offer resources and listen. Small gestures, like offering childcare so they can attend a job interview, can make a significant difference. Understand that fleeing an abusive relationship is a process, and patience is key.
## Final Thoughts
Economic abuse is a powerful tool that traps countless women in abusive relationships, making the challenges of leaving feel insurmountable. But with education, support, and the right resources, survivors can regain their independence and thrive.
Breaking free is never easy, but it is possible. Together, by raising awareness of economic abuse, we can help survivors take their first steps toward brighter futures.
If you or someone you know needs help, organizations like the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or Local Agencies that support survivors and guide them toward safety and financial freedom.
