By Demelza Desforges - MIN Ambassador, 21.01.24

Financial abuse, a sinister weapon in the arsenal of coercive control and post-separation abuse, often goes unnoticed. It silently steals a woman's independence, leaving her trapped in a cycle of fear and dependence. While economic and financial abuse often get used interchangeably, there are some distinctions to remember, especially in the context of domestic violence. Today, we shed light on the ways financial and economic abuse can manifest, to inspire action and validate the experiences of those mums dealing with the fallout.

Financial Abuse vs Economic Abuse

Financial abuse focuses specifically on controlling a person's access to and use of money. It comes under the Umbrella of economic abuse.

Economic abuse takes a broader view, encompassing not just the control of someone's money but also the power over someone's overall economic well-being. 

The Invisible Chains of Economic Abuse

Imagine a life where every purchase requires approval, every bank statement is scrutinized, and earning a pay check feels like a privilege, not a right. This is the reality for many mums caught in the web of financial abuse. Perpetrators wield money as a tool for control, stripping victims of their financial autonomy and leaving them vulnerable and in need. 

How Economic Abuse Plays Out: 

• Controlling Income: Abusers may withhold child maintenance, sabotage employment opportunities, or force victims to quit their jobs. This isolates victims and makes them financially dependent. In post-separation abuse, disrupting child care arrangements can impact on the mum’s ability to stay in employment.

• Mismanaging Finances: During the relationship abusers may squander shared funds, run up debt in the victim's name, or deny access to necessary resources, creating financial insecurity and instability that lingers way beyond the break-up.

• Monitoring Spending: Every penny spent is scrutinized, leading to constant anxiety and a sense of being monitored. This erodes self-esteem and creates a climate of fear. Even after the relationship ends, the perpetrator may continue to comment on the spending of their victims and bring the children into it by damaging property and making it difficult or impossible to replace necessary items.

• Exploiting Debts: Abusers may use existing debts as leverage, threatening to expose them or refuse to help pay them off, further trapping victims in the cycle. Poor credit ratings negatively impact survivors for decades. 

The Impact on Mums and Children

The consequences of financial abuse extend far beyond the immediate financial hardship. It impacts a mum's ability to care for herself and her children, leading to:

• Food and Housing Insecurity: The inability to afford basic necessities creates constant stress and precarity for the entire family. This is compounded by the cost of living crisis. Many mums resort to food banks or lose their homes. Risks escalate when abusers know where their victims reside, despite their best efforts, anonymity can become compromised because of stalking and harassment. Finding money to facilitate a house move is very difficult, long social housing waiting lists force some mums into unsuitable and unsafe emergency accommodation.

• Limited Access to Healthcare: Controlling food and the ability to exercise disrupt healthy lifestyle routines and bring about ill-health. When finances are limited it becomes difficult to afford travel costs. Delaying or forgoing medical care due to financial constraints can have serious health consequences.

• Educational Challenges: Children may miss out on opportunities due to financial limitations, impacting their development and future prospects.

CALL TO ACTION!!! 

Mums, you are not alone! Breaking free from financial abuse requires courage and support, but it is possible to reclaim control.

By providing information, resources, and a platform for support, we can empower mums to break free from financial abuse and build a brighter future for themselves and their children. Remember, every action, big or small, can make a difference.

Here's how you can help:

• Share this blog post to raise awareness and spark conversations about financial abuse. 

• Visit our website to learn more about post-separation abuse and how you can help.

• Donate or Volunteer. Your contributions, big or small, empower charities like ours to provide vital support services to mums experiencing abuse.

• Advocate for Change by supporting policies that protect victims of abuse and hold perpetrators accountable.

By shining a light on this hidden form of abuse, we can empower mums and enable them to build a brighter future for their families, breaking the cycle of abuse for good.

Together, let's break the chains of financial abuse and build a future where every mum can thrive.