5 Ways Financial Abuse Is About More Than Just Money
It’s destructive, and the consequences are devastating for women and children
The behaviours chosen to abuse other’s financially, mimic other more talked about abuse tactics such as: Control, denied permission, limited choices, threats of violence, coercion, intimidation and fear. Often financial abuse does not occur in a vacuum. It exists with it a torrent of other abusive tactics.
Financial abuse adds another layer to violence
Sadly, at the pointy end of family and domestic violence (FDV), homicides within intimate personal relationships are reported too often. In Australia, the frequency of homicide in this context is one a week. We are made aware of the most violent outcomes stemming from family abuse through these reports.
But numerous abuses exist between the headlines — almost always emotional, often financial and less discussed sexual abuse. Financial abuse is a lesser reported form of abuse. Yet, the consequences can impact the safety and future of survivors, potentially for years to come.
The complexity of abusive behaviours and outcomes is still a work in progress for many to understand. Until the intricacies of abuse are recognized and acknowledged thereby creating change, the outcomes of these abuses will continue as they have done.
The impact is inconceivable
Financial abuse has a devastating and cascading effect on the future-building of women and their children. In Australia, FDV is the leading cause of homelessness for women and children. Of those who seek support from Specialist Homelessness Services, 42% have experienced FDV.
We can not ignore the outcome of homelessness related to abuse. Yet there remains a constant shortage of support and available services for women who have fled violence and cannot support themselves and their children.
Having clear avenues for support means that women who have experienced abuse, often many forms simultaneously, are alone, struggling and at risk of further harm. Each of the forms of abuse has the power to create this outcome. Financial abuse is no different.
I spoke with a young woman who had been a survivor of most forms of abuse, including physical and financial abuse from her husband. She was not permitted to get a job, so when the relationship ended, she had no money, no home or job and no way to care for her two young children.
Too commonly, this woman ended up in a refuge, fighting for her fundamental rights and dignity. A competent and intelligent woman, reduced to someone she no longer recognized.
Less reported but no less impactful.
Almost nonexistent in media reports, financial abuse is harmful and crippling often for years after. When we hear FDV we naturally think of physical abuse or emotional abuse.
But financial abuse is less commonly heard. We all should hear of it. I have spoken to many women who have experienced financial abuse without knowingly putting a label on it.
When women are ticking these boxes in their heads, they conclude that yes, this is the reality of their life, and yes, it does have a name.
What financial abuse looks like
Let’s first consider the potential outcomes of this abuse. We can better position ourselves to understand the tactics used to get there.
The result of financial abuse commonly leads to an inability to provide for oneself and others, crippling and cyclical debt, inability to borrow money from reputable financial institutions, vulnerability to reenter the same relationship and ultimately and most devastatingly, homelessness.
Financial abuse, like other methods of abuse, may start not quite looking or feeling abusive or controlling. It may grow slowly albeit uncomfortably until what has developed is set.
1. Not permitted to access money
Often women may not be permitted to have access to their own money, even if they have a paid job and earn for themselves. This money funnels to the person who uses violence (PUV). The goal here is to isolate the woman, prevent her from leaving, reduce her access to resources, and, most importantly, create an absolute dependence on the PUV.
Imagine the difficulty of leaving any relationship with no money and no support. This lack of access or awareness of resources already challenges the most resourceful amongst us. Add to this the complexity and danger of violence with threats of death, and this ability to move on is next level.
2. Making ends meet — through begging
To further humiliate and control, the PUV often demands the woman asks (begs) for what she needs. Not only is this a controlling behaviour, but it also creates further dependency and increases the void between her and the PUV as the head of the family — the one in total control.
The woman receives only enough money to buy what she needs for the house and the children. There is certainly no money left over to squirrel away to plan to leave.
The first step in getting back on one’s feet after feeling safe is gaining independence. Women who cannot financially support themselves and their children may return to the violence as an undesired alternative to homelessness and further harm.
3. Limited ability to access legal supports
Accessing legal support may seem obvious if you have been the victim of financial crime. If you are the victim of fraud, if someone has taken or sold property that you have an equal share, or if you have your identity compromised.
However, impacted by violence, a woman is in survival mode. Her priority is accessing basic needs, housing, safety. Her priority is not pulling herself together enough to call legal aid.
She can not fathom having a high-level conversation about her financial future and legal action when she barely knows how to feed her children.
4. Not permitted to study and to better oneself
What happens when a woman is studying? She is aiming to better herself. She is aiming to improve her life and have increased options and opportunities. Maybe she hopes to get a better job, and perhaps she will leave the relationship.
Taking steps to improve one’s situation is a problem for the PUV, who senses a loss of control. The woman remaining in her circumstance means that she may struggle in a minimum wage job with fewer perks longer hours and experience an increasing strain on the family.
The PUV must keep the woman in a place where her opportunities are limited to none, where she doesn’t have the confidence to branch out and see alternatives to dependence.
5. Intentional cause of job loss through harassment, stalking or threats
If a woman can get a job, she moves forward with her independence. The PUV may discover where she works, and I have spoken to many women forced to leave their jobs because they are stalked or harassed at their workplace.
The complexity of a protection order demands mentioning. It is, for some women, not an easy option or an option at all to apply for his order. Often, women are so fearful of retaliation, including threats of death. Many prefer to go it alone as it is a safer option.
If FDV impacts you or someone you know, contact your local support service or emergency services if you are in immediate danger.
Statistics relate to FDV in Australia and are obtained from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare https://www.aihw.gov.au/
