Understanding Economic Abuse

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Economic abuse is when someone wields all the financial power in a relationship and uses that power to control their partner. Not allowing a partner to work or to attend school in an effort to earn their own income is common in abusive relationships. It is important to understand that the relationship may not have begun in such a financially unbalanced way. Many women take leave of their jobs to raise children. This can be an extremely vulnerable time and when abuse may peak. Furthermore, putting a partner on an ‘allowance’ or forcing them to ask for money like a child is degrading, controlling and abusive. Not sharing household income/expense information or denying access to household funds is a primary method that abusers employ to keep their partners from leaving. Many women face an uncertain future, including poverty and homelessness, after leaving their abuser if economic abuse has been present in the relationship.