Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Exactly Is Financial Abuse?SignsImpactHow to Get HelpTips for Helping a Friend or Love One

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Exactly Is Financial Abuse?

Signs

Impact

How to Get Help

Tips for Helping a Friend or Love One

When most people think ofdomestic abuse, the first thing that comes to mind is likelyverbal abuseand physical assault. Abuse is more than just physical violence. Research shows that other forms of abuse—including financial abuse—occur just as frequently inunhealthy relationships.

Older research has suggested that 99% of domestic violence cases also involved financial abuse. However, estimates about the prevalence of economic abuse vary. Some studies indicate that the prevalence rates in the U.S. range from 52% to 98%.

At a Glance

Financial abuse involves controlling a victim’s ability to acquire, use, and maintain financial resources. Those who are victimized financially may be prevented from working, or the abuser may attempt to control how they use the money they earn.

While less commonly understood than other forms of abuse, financial abuse is one of the most powerful methods of keeping a victim trapped in an abusive relationship.

Research shows that victims often are too concerned about their ability to provide financially for themselves and their children toend the relationship. Financial insecurity is also one of the top reasons women return to an abusive partner.

Men can be victims of abuse as well. Because financial abuse is recognized as a form of domestic violence,approximately 1 in 7 men (18 years and older) will experience a form of domestic violence.

Like other forms ofintimate partner violence, the goal of financial abuse is to gain power and control in a relationship.

How to Spot the Signs of Financial Abuse

Overall, financial abuse is very isolating because victims often become financially dependent on their abusers. This financial dependence traps them in the relationship. Without resources, they are unable to see a way out of their situation.

If you’re in a relationship, it’s extremely important that you can identify financial abuse before it escalates and you’re stripped of your credit history and employment opportunities.

Below is an overview of the way financial abuse is perpetrated. Some abusers may use all of these tactics while others may only use one or two. Regardless of whether the abusive person is using one tactic or 10, it’s still considered financial abuse. Here are some ways in which people are abused financially.

Exploiting Your Resources

When a dating partner or spouse uses or controls the money you have earned or saved, they are exploiting your resources.

Here are some examples of this exploitation:

​Interfering With Your Job

When a dating partner or spouse attempts to control your ability to earn money or gain assets, they are interfering with your income potential. Here are some examples of job interference.

​Controlling Shared Assets and Resources

When a dating partner or spouse has complete control over the money in the relationship and you have little or no access to what you need, this is controlling the family resources. Here are some examples of controlling shared resources and assets.

RecapFinancial abuse doesn’t always look the same, so that means it can vary from one situation to the next. Sometimes, an abuser may use subtle tactics likemanipulation, while other abusers may be more overt, demanding, and intimidating.

Recap

Financial abuse doesn’t always look the same, so that means it can vary from one situation to the next. Sometimes, an abuser may use subtle tactics likemanipulation, while other abusers may be more overt, demanding, and intimidating.

13 Red Flags in Relationships

Devastating Effects of Financial Abuse

In the short term, this financial abuse leaves victims vulnerable to physical abuse and violence.Without access to money, credit cards, and other financial assets, it’s extremely difficult to devise a plan to escape the situation safely.

For instance, if an abuser is particularly violent and the victim needs to leave to stay safe, this is difficult without money or a credit card. And if they need to leave the relationship permanently, finding safe and affordable housing is challenging. They also struggle to provide necessities like food, clothing, and transportation.

Those who do manage to escape an abusive situation often face extreme difficulties in obtaining long-term housing, safety, and security.

Financial abuse also has long-term effects. This abuse makes it hard to maintain a steady employment history, which can make finding work in the future more challenging. Because it often leads to ruined credit histories, outstanding debts, and mounting legal issues, the effects can last years and make it very hard to rebuild lasting financial security.

Consequently, it’s tough for them to establish independence and long-term security. In fact, many victims stay with or return to abusers due to concerns about financial stability. Financial abuse can also have other long-term effects, including problems withself-esteemand problems withtrust in relationships.

If you are experiencing financial abuse, there are steps that you can take to protect yourself. Leaving the relationship is often the best solution. Other strategies that you can use to protect yourself and get help:

Protect Your Personal Information

Contact your bank and credit card company and ask them to change your account information, including your PIN and access codes. Once you have changed these, do not share them with anyone else.

Access Your Credit Report

Prepare for the Future

If you cannot leave your abuser immediately, you can take steps to prepare for the future. Open a new account and hide cash where your abuser cannot find it.

Find Support

Talking to trusted loved ones can provide support, care, and encouragement. Loved ones may also offer resources, such as housing and financial support if you decide to end the relationship.

How to Help Someone Experiencing Financial Abuse

If you think that someone you know is experiencing financial abuse, there are things you can do to help.

Some strategies that can be helpful include:

According to the National Domestic Abuse Hotline, always check with the individual first before you offer support. Find out what they are comfortable with and what would work for their specific situations.

​Takeaways

If you suspect that your partner orspouseis financially abusive, contact an advocate, a counselor, or a religious leader right away. Financial abuse is not something that gets better with time. In fact, it often escalates and can lead to other types of abuse.

If you do not have a counselor or religious leader who can help, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates. The key is to address financial abuse right away.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you do not have a counselor or religious leader who can help, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates. The key is to address financial abuse right away.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johnson L, Chen Y, Stylianou A, Arnold A.Examining the impact of economic abuse on survivors of intimate partner violence: a scoping review.BMC Public Health. 2022;22(1):1014. doi:10.1186/s12889-022-13297-4Lin HF, Postmus JL, Hu H, Stylianou AM. IPVExperiences and financial strain over time: Insights from the Blinder-Oaxaca Decomposition Analysis.J Fam Econ Issues. 2023;44(2):434-446. doi:10.1007/s10834-022-09847-yPennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.Financial abuse.National Domestic Violence Hotline.Men can be victims of abuse, too.National Domestic Violence Hotline.What is financial abuse?Women’s Aid.Unequal, trapped & controlled: Women’s experience of financial abuse and potential implications for universal credit.Sullivan CM, Guerrero M, Simmons C, et al.Impact of the Domestic Violence Housing First Model on survivors' safety and housing stability: 12-month findings.J Interpers Violence. 2023;38(5-6):4790-4813. doi:10.1177/08862605221119520Office on Women’s Health.Financial abuse.

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johnson L, Chen Y, Stylianou A, Arnold A.Examining the impact of economic abuse on survivors of intimate partner violence: a scoping review.BMC Public Health. 2022;22(1):1014. doi:10.1186/s12889-022-13297-4Lin HF, Postmus JL, Hu H, Stylianou AM. IPVExperiences and financial strain over time: Insights from the Blinder-Oaxaca Decomposition Analysis.J Fam Econ Issues. 2023;44(2):434-446. doi:10.1007/s10834-022-09847-yPennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.Financial abuse.National Domestic Violence Hotline.Men can be victims of abuse, too.National Domestic Violence Hotline.What is financial abuse?Women’s Aid.Unequal, trapped & controlled: Women’s experience of financial abuse and potential implications for universal credit.Sullivan CM, Guerrero M, Simmons C, et al.Impact of the Domestic Violence Housing First Model on survivors' safety and housing stability: 12-month findings.J Interpers Violence. 2023;38(5-6):4790-4813. doi:10.1177/08862605221119520Office on Women’s Health.Financial abuse.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Johnson L, Chen Y, Stylianou A, Arnold A.Examining the impact of economic abuse on survivors of intimate partner violence: a scoping review.BMC Public Health. 2022;22(1):1014. doi:10.1186/s12889-022-13297-4Lin HF, Postmus JL, Hu H, Stylianou AM. IPVExperiences and financial strain over time: Insights from the Blinder-Oaxaca Decomposition Analysis.J Fam Econ Issues. 2023;44(2):434-446. doi:10.1007/s10834-022-09847-yPennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.Financial abuse.National Domestic Violence Hotline.Men can be victims of abuse, too.National Domestic Violence Hotline.What is financial abuse?Women’s Aid.Unequal, trapped & controlled: Women’s experience of financial abuse and potential implications for universal credit.Sullivan CM, Guerrero M, Simmons C, et al.Impact of the Domestic Violence Housing First Model on survivors' safety and housing stability: 12-month findings.J Interpers Violence. 2023;38(5-6):4790-4813. doi:10.1177/08862605221119520Office on Women’s Health.Financial abuse.

Johnson L, Chen Y, Stylianou A, Arnold A.Examining the impact of economic abuse on survivors of intimate partner violence: a scoping review.BMC Public Health. 2022;22(1):1014. doi:10.1186/s12889-022-13297-4

Lin HF, Postmus JL, Hu H, Stylianou AM. IPVExperiences and financial strain over time: Insights from the Blinder-Oaxaca Decomposition Analysis.J Fam Econ Issues. 2023;44(2):434-446. doi:10.1007/s10834-022-09847-y

Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.Financial abuse.

National Domestic Violence Hotline.Men can be victims of abuse, too.

National Domestic Violence Hotline.What is financial abuse?

Women’s Aid.Unequal, trapped & controlled: Women’s experience of financial abuse and potential implications for universal credit.

Sullivan CM, Guerrero M, Simmons C, et al.Impact of the Domestic Violence Housing First Model on survivors' safety and housing stability: 12-month findings.J Interpers Violence. 2023;38(5-6):4790-4813. doi:10.1177/08862605221119520

Office on Women’s Health.Financial abuse.

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