What Is Financial Abuse
Financial abuse is a subtle yet powerful form of domestic violence, where one partner exerts undue control over the financial resources in a relationship. This control can take various forms, from overt actions like stealing or withholding money to more covert tactics like sabotaging employment opportunities or accumulating debt in the victim's name.
Unlike physical abuse, which leaves visible scars, financial abuse is harder to detect but equally damaging. It erodes the victim’s ability to support themselves, limits their freedom, and traps them in the abusive relationship. Understanding the nuances of financial abuse is crucial for both victims and those who wish to support them.
How Financial Abuse Manifests
Financial abuse can manifest in various ways, often tailored to the specific circumstances of the relationship. Common methods include:
- Income Control : Taking over the victim’s earnings or denying them access to their own income.
- Employment Interference: Preventing the victim from seeking employment or advancement in their career.
- Debt Coercion : Forcing the victim to incur debt or taking out loans in their name without consent.
- Resource Hoarding : Controlling all financial resources and decisions, including savings and investments.
- Economic Exploitation : Using the victim's assets for personal gain without reciprocation or fairness.
- Financial Gaslighting : Manipulating or lying about financial information to confuse or disempower the victim.
Each of these tactics serves to increase the victim's financial dependence and the abuser's control.
Confronting and Overcoming Financial Abuse
Breaking free from financial abuse is challenging, especially when the abuser has systematically dismantled the victim's financial independence. However, there are steps one can take to reclaim financial autonomy:
- Building Financial Knowledge : Gaining a better understanding of finances, budgeting, and rights.
- Creating Independent Finances : Setting up personal bank accounts and building individual credit.
- Documenting Abuse : Keeping detailed records of financial transactions and abusive instances.
- Legal Consultation : Seeking legal advice regarding joint debts, property rights, and other financial obligations.
- Accessing Resources : Utilising services offered by financial abuse support organisations and domestic violence programs.
Recovering from financial abuse takes time and support, but it's a crucial step towards freedom and independence.
Getting Help for Financial AbuseFind someone to talk to
Citizens Advice
Who Are They?
Offering free, confidential guidance on everything from finances to housing. A trusted resource for knowing your rights.
How To Get In Touch?
Call: 0800 144 8848
Website: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Shelter Cymru
Who Are They?
Expert advice on housing and homelessness issues in Wales. They're your shelter from the storm.
How To Get In Touch?
Website: https://www.sheltercymru.org.uk
Shelter England
Who Are They?
Your guide through the complexities of housing and homelessness in England. They help you find your footing.
How To Get In Touch?
Website: https://england.shelter.org.uk
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Who Are They?
The DWP assesses and provides financial support to individuals with mental health conditions affecting their ability to work or live independently.
How To Get In Touch?
Call: 0800 055 6688
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions
Scope
Who Are They?
We're Scope, the disability equality charity in England and Wales. We:
provide practical information and emotional support when it's most needed
campaign relentlessly to create a fairer society.
How To Get In Touch?
Call: 0808 800 3333
Email: helpline@scope.org.uk
Website: https://www.scope.org.uk/
StepChange Debt Charity
Who Are They?
StepChange Debt Charity is a leading UK-based organisation dedicated to providing free and confidential debt advice and solutions.
How To Get In Touch?
Call: 0800 138 1111
Website: https://www.stepchange.org
National Debtline
Who Are They?
A free, independent service offering confidential advice on personal debt issues. They provide self-help materials and a range of tools to manage your money.
How To Get In Touch?
Call: 0808 808 4000
Website: https://nationaldebtline.org
MoneyHelper
Who Are They?
Funded by the government, MoneyHelper offers free and impartial money advice, guides, tools, and calculators to help people manage their money better.
How To Get In Touch?
Call: 0800 138 7777
Text: 07701342744
Website: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk
Turn2us
Who Are They?
A national charity that provides practical help to people who are struggling financially. They offer information on welfare benefits, grants, and managing money.
How To Get In Touch?
Website: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/
PayPlan
Who Are They?
Offers free debt advice and support, helping individuals to understand their debt problems and find the best solution for their situation.
How To Get In Touch?
Call: 0800 316 1833
Website: https://www.payplan.com
Veterans' Gateway
Who Are They?
Offers a first point of contact for veterans seeking support, including help with mental health issues like PTSD. They provide information, advice, and connect veterans to appropriate services.
How To Get In Touch?
Call: 08088021212
Text: 81212
Email: https://support.veteransgateway.org.uk/app/ask
Website: https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk/
The Trussell Trust
Who Are They?
We’re an anti-poverty charity and community of food banks providing practical support to people who can’t afford the essentials, and campaigning for a future where none of us need to use emergency food to get by.
How To Get In Touch?
Call: 0808 2082138
Website: https://www.trusselltrust.org/
FoodCycle
Who Are They?
FoodCycle aims to end food poverty, loneliness, and food waste by providing free community meals and companionship using surplus food.
How To Get In Touch?
Call: 020 7729 2775
Email: hello@foodcycle.org.uk
Website: https://foodcycle.org.uk/
GAMSTOP
Who Are They?
GAMSTOP helps you control your online gambling.
Once registered you will be prevented from using gambling websites and apps run by companies licensed in Great Britain, for a period of your choosing.
How To Get In Touch?
Call: 0800 138 6518
Email: helpdesk@gamstop.co.uk
Website: https://www.gamstop.co.uk/
MoneySavingExpert
Who Are They?
MoneySavingExpert.com is the UK's biggest consumer website, with more than 16 million users a month. The site's dedicated to cutting your bills and fighting your corner with journalistic research, cutting-edge tools and a massive community – all focused on finding deals, saving cash and campaigning for financial justice.
How To Get In Touch?
Website: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/
Community Fridges (Hubbub)
Who Are They?
The Community Fridge Network is coordinated by Hubbub and brings together all UK based groups running a community fridge. It enables them to share knowledge, skills, ask questions and provide support to each other. Through the network we also offer free, comprehensive guidance on how to set up a fridge as well as tools covering everything you need, from posters to health and safety templates and more.
How To Get In Touch?
Email: hello@hubbub.org.uk