How to spot economic abuse 2022

National Economic Abuse Awareness Day

Did you know that November 26 is National Economic Abuse Awareness Day?

Why a National Day of Economic Abuse Awareness?

Aligning with the international movement of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence the day highlights the unique experiences of Economic Abuse within intimate partner violence. The day will educate the public on the forms of Economic Abuse and ways to protect yourself.

Before understanding how to spot Economic Abuse, we should be aware of what Economic Abuse is. Economic Abuse is where one of the intimate partners seizes the other person’s authority over economic resources, forcing the latter to depend upon the former for financial support.

This form of abuse deprecates the independence of a partner and not only financially but also emotionally makes one vulnerable. Economic Abuse is a vicious, gradual, and intentional technique of control. So much so that many do not realize the abuse is happening at the time.

A critical distinction between economic and financial abuse is that Economic Abuse also includes controlling someone’s earning prospects by holding them from obtaining a job or education. Spotting Economic Abuse could be pretty evident through violence or intimidation, whereas in some cases, it could be silent and even more complex.

Here are some signs to help spot Economic Abuse.

1.Doing things without consent
It is a slow process of conquering the victims’ financial assets without their consent. The abuser overpowers the finances behind their partner’s back. Money and credit cards are borrowed without asking or repaying. They are opening bank records without your permission.

2. Controlling behavior
The abuser feels entitled over the money the victim earns and has control over the way the victim uses their resources or spends their expenses, not only in terms of finances, but in terms of control over deciding where to work and where not to. Controlling behavior isolates the partner from support, influencing their resources and abilities for self-growth and denying them the means needed for freedom.

3. Manipulation
Manipulation is persuading the partner into false traps of understanding and cooperation when the reality is instead that the perpetrator intends that the financial asset is utilized for self-consumption. Such behavior sabotages the relationship and makes one vulnerable in such a state of gaslighting. Sometimes, it could take an ugly turn toward highly violent cases.
Such a sort of abuse could be avoided through alertness and awareness. One step is keeping track of financial accounts and their documents in safe hands. Furthermore, being aware of surroundings and regularly checking the budget allows one to record the expenses. For further assistance, there are help groups and NGOs to whom you can address your problems and find a solution.

Then you might be wondering, ‘what can I do to help stop Economic Abuse?’

Join CCFWE and become a social justice advocate:

Learn more about IEAAD22 in CCFWE’s Help Us Rise 2022 awareness and advocacy campaign
Share the Social Media Toolkit graphics and hashtag for #IEAAD22 (sample graphic below)
Check what other international organizations are doing in partnership for #IEAAD22 by joining and following the hashtag
Make system change by using our sample letters and call to action
Sign the Pledge to fight Economic Abuse