Petition to end Economic and Financial Abuse Sponsored by MP Anita Vandenbeld to Protect & Support Survivors of Financial and Economic Abuse.

Financial and economic abuse has happened to many generations of women and still continues to this present day. It is inhumane and an infringement on our human rights. It is of utmost importance that the Canadian Government takes action to protect the victims and support the survivors.

Statistics Canada has reported a 12% increase in domestic abuse calls since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdowns, but the actual number of cases may be much higher. Historically, during every type of emergency where abusers are confined to their homes, victims cannot make the call to authorities as they do not feel safe with their partners at home. Economic abuse is often one of the largest barriers survivors face when trying to escape abusive relationships. 

Economic Abuse occurs when a domestic partner interferes with a partner’s access to finances, employment, or social benefits, racking up credit card debt in their partner’s name, prevent the victim’s career advancement, sabotaging employment by making the other spouse miss work, controlling the use of property, such as a mobile phone or car, refuses to contribute to costs and child support, make the victim sign legal papers without knowing what they are, dragging out divorce proceedings in order to cripple victim financially, prohibiting the victim from using credit cards, writing checks, and accessing marital accounts.

Women who experience economic abuse are five times more likely to experience physical abuse and other forms of gender-based violence such as sexual, psychological, and physical abuse. This form of abuse is designed to reinforce or create economic dependency and/or instability; limiting women’s choices and their ability to access safety. Today, we are reaching out to circulate a petition calling on the Government of Canada to take action on all forms of economic abuse (Economic Control, Employment Sabotage, and Economic Exploitation).

Recently, our National Task Force on Economic Justice released a policy statement declaring that “addressing the institutional barriers women and gender non-conforming people face post-separation as they are trying to rebuild their lives and overcome the effects of economic abuse would minimize long-term impacts”. 

In February 2021, CCFWE participated in community engagement on the National consultation for National Action Plan (NAP) to End Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Most women participants indicated that there was ‘little to no support available to support survivors of economic and financial abuse, put an end to economic abuse and remove structural financial obstacles that impact the economic empowerment of survivors, and start rebuilding their lives. 

CCFWE is calling on the Government of Canada to include all forms of economic abuse in the National Action Plan and the amended Divorce Act. This provides a crucial opportunity to transform responses to economic abuse and to improve the lives of victims.

CCFWE has been working with MP Anita Vandenbeld to advance economic justice. MP Vandenbeld is graciously supporting our petition and has been an advocate for economic abuse sharing our recent study with her colleagues. With your help, we can reach 500 signatures and ensure that the Government of Canada will hear the voices of survivors.    

Will you help us demand action to support survivors of economic abuse?

Don’t forget to click the link in your email to complete the two-step verification. 

Sign and share our petition – https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-3491