Children feel impact of economic abuse at home

Millions of children are suffering because their mothers are facing abuse at home, a charity has warned.

According to Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA), more than one in four (27%) mothers with children aged under 18 have had their finances controlled by an abuser in the last year.

And this is having a devastating knock-on effect.

For example, 14% of mums in this situation had seen their child’s mental health suffer as a result, and 17% said they couldn’t provide their children with essentials such as food and clothing.

Meanwhile, one in five (20%) admitted they feared for their children’s safety or wellbeing because of their partner or ex’s abusive behaviour.

What is economic abuse?

Economic abuse happens when someone controls another person’s finances or their ability to earn money. 

It often traps victims with the abuser and, if they do manage to leave, destroys their ability to rebuild their lives, sometimes forcing them to return to their abuser.

Economic abuse can take many forms, such as: 

• restricting access to a bank account
• stopping a person from accessing essentials such as food, shampoo and medicine
• taking out credit in a partner’s name without their permission
• preventing you from being in education or employment
• taking your children’s savings or birthday money
• taking out credit cards, loans or mortgages in your name
• limiting your working hours
• taking your wages
• refusing to let you claim benefits

Abusers taking money from family

It’s not just mums’ finances being controlled. 

Many say abusers also go after money intended for their children.

One in six (16%) mothers of under-18s said that their child’s birthday or pocket money had been taken by an abusive partner or ex.

And the same proportion said they’d been stopped - or almost stopped - from accessing benefits that they or their children were entitled to.

“Economic abuse is a dangerous form of coercive control and children are being harmed by it every day,” said Sam Smethers, chief executive of SEA.

Take action

Financial abuse often goes hand in hand with other forms of abuse. 

So if you suspect financial abuse, it’s important to act. 

If you have concerns that your partner may be monitoring your internet use, try and borrow a friend’s phone or use a public computer e.g. at your local library.

And if you’re in immediate danger, call 999.

Help and support

If you've left a relationship where you faced economic abuse, making ends meet can be a real struggle.

The Financial Support Line can provide specialist advice on 0808 196 8845.

Charities and organisations like the ones we’ve listed can also help you access grants and support:

• National Domestic Abuse helpline
• Refuge
• Women’s Aid
• Respect - Men’s Advice Line
• ManKind Initiative

Grants

Some banks and financial organisations offer hardship funds for customers facing money problems or escaping abusive relationships.

So ask if they can help you.

You can find a complete list of charity grants on the Turn2Us website.

Get help with coercive debt

Often, people who flee an abusive relationship are left with debt fraudulently taken out in their name or that they’ve been coerced into taking.

If you’re carrying debts from an abusive relationship, we can advise you on solutions that could be suitable for you based on your circumstances.

You can get in touch with us online or give us a call.