Financial abuse is a silent but powerful weapon used by abusers to maintain control and power in their relationships. While it may not leave physical scars, the damage it inflicts can be just as devastating, making it a critical issue to address when dealing with domestic violence. For Black women who are survivors, as well as anyone who wants to support us, let’s dive into the often misunderstood world of financial abuse, exploring its various forms and the profound impact it has on survivors, and share how you can help support survivors.
What is Financial Abuse?
Financial abuse encompasses a range of behaviors aimed at manipulating, intimidating, and controlling a partner's financial resources to keep victim-survivors trapped in an abusive relationship. This form of abuse can be obvious or hidden, and it often tags along with other types of abuse. Importantly, it usually exists in the relationship, likely escalating when she tries to leave.
The Prevalence of Financial Abuse
Startlingly, research indicates that financial abuse occurs in a staggering 99% of domestic violence cases. This statistic highlights the pervasive nature of this issue and its ability to afflict individuals across all backgrounds. Since many Black women are at or below the poverty line, it is another brick to the wheelbarrow.
Survivor surveys consistently reveal that concerns about financial stability rank among the top reasons for staying in or returning to an abusive partner. Financial abuse thus becomes a potent tool for abusers to maintain their hold on survivors, even after they escape the relationship.
Forms of Financial Abuse
Financial abuse, much like other forms of abuse, can begin subtly and escalate over time. Abusers are good at appearing charming and caring initially, which can lull survivors into a false sense of trust. For example, an abuser might offer to take over financial responsibilities, promising to provide a weekly allowance to reduce the survivor's stress. Over time, this allowance may dwindle, leaving the survivor financially dependent and powerless.
It can also look like the abuser showing up with false expressions of love where the survivor works. From texting all throughout the day to say, “I love you”, to bringing flowers to her workplace, to disrupting work over and over again - all in an effort to cause the survivor to lose her job. This leaves her with no job, no income, and no ability to leave.
In more overt cases, financial abuse involves threats, intimidation, and violence to prevent the survivor from working, obtaining employment, or accessing family funds. Regardless of the approach, abusers typically employ common tactics to gain financial control over their partners. These tactics include:
Forbidding the victim from working.
Sabotaging work or employment opportunities.
Controlling all financial decisions.
Denying access to bank accounts.
Withholding money or providing meager allowances.
Running up debt on joint accounts.
Hiding assets or stealing the survivor's identity.
Forcing unpaid work in a family business.
Refusing to pay bills or child support.
The Impact of Financial Abuse
The impact of financial abuse can be tragic, both in the short and long term. In the immediate aftermath, survivors' access to assets becomes necessary for their safety and well-being. Without these resources, they may struggle to secure safe housing or provide for themselves and their children. Faced with the very real prospect of homelessness, some survivors choose to return to their abusive partners. For those who manage to break free, the road to long-term security is often difficult. Ruined credit scores, random employment histories, and legal issues stemming from the abuse make it exceedingly difficult to achieve independence and lasting safety.
How We Can Help Survivors
Here at Courageous Access, we're on a mission to rewrite the narrative for Black women facing domestic violence. As an integral part of this mission, Courageous Access strives to provide vital resources to our clients and their families, including those escaping financial abuse. However, we can't do it alone. We need your support to continue making a difference in the lives of survivors.
Donations are at the heart of our ability to empower survivors and their families to rebuild their lives. By contributing, you can help us provide the essential resources that these individuals need to heal and thrive. Together, we can change the story of domestic violence for Black women and create a brighter, safer future for all. Join us in this vital mission, and let's make a lasting impact together. Donate here: https://donorbox.org/courageous-access-one-time
Financial abuse is a pervasive and insidious form of control that victims face in abusive relationships. Recognizing its signs and understanding its impact is crucial in providing support and resources to survivors seeking to break free from their abusers. By shedding light on this hidden struggle, we give #Permission for Black women to escape abuse and rebuild their lives with financial security and independence.
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