Economic Abuse

⛓️ Economic Abuse.⛓️

A close up of an ancient clay bowl decorated with triangles

Another newsletter, another struggle to find an appropriate image. This is an ancient clay pot I saw at a museum last week and I chose it because it represents home.

This is serious but so important.

The more people who understand economic abuse, the better equipped we all are to spot it in ourselves, our families and our communities, and to know what steps to take next.

What is Economic Abuse?

Economic abuse is legally defined in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

It occurs in a relationship where one person limits or restricts the other's access to money or property or affects their ability to earn. It can also include preventing someone from obtaining goods or services.

It may be a single incident or a pattern of behaviour. It doesn’t have to be a sexual or married relationship - it could be a relationship with a parent for example.

What Might It Look Like?

Stopping someone from working or attending work.
Refusing access to bank accounts.
Stealing money.
Forging a signature on legal or financial documents.
Refusing to pay bills or contribute to household finances.
Gambling with shared money.
Controlling access to a vehicle used for work.
Changing care arrangements for elderly relatives to cause financial strain.
Creating debt in someone's name (e.g. taking out credit in their name).

According to Surviving Economic Abuse, one in seven women in the UK have experienced economic abuse from a current or former partner. Sixty-seven percent of domestic abuse victims also report economic abuse.

This is a huge issue.

Economic Abuse Awareness Day

This year it was on the 26th of November - the same day as the Budget. The budget that, whilst it scrapped the two-child limit, made no mention of violence against girls and women despite there being a severe funding gaps. Three Rape Crisis Centres have closed in the last 12 months due to lack of funding.

Our Communities

In June this year, the Canadian Centre for Women's Empowerment highlighted how economic abuse might look in a queer context - for example withholding of gender-affirming care could definitely amount to economic abuse or the impact of stigma and shame around gender reducing access to support services.

The solution to this problem isn't individual - this is a structural and systemic issue - but community awareness absolutely matters. Ahead of the awareness day, Surviving Economic Abuse and TSB launched the Spotting the Signs Challenge, to encourage us all to be aware of some of the red flags - for ourselves and for others.

If You Are A Victim

There is support.

This is abuse, it is recognised in law and you have legal protections.

You can go to the police, including through the 999 in an emergency.
Surviving Economic Abuse website has clear guidance right here.
You can ring the National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free on 0808 2000 247.
And here is the Women's Aid searchable local services directory.
Galop has a helpline for LGBT+ people experiencing abuse on 0808 999 5428.
Men’s Advice Line offers support to men experiencing abuse on 0808 8010 327.
TSB has a 'flee fund' - up to £500 for abuse victims with no need to pay it back.

Please stay around here and on the blog and use all of the information I have to offer. In the next few weeks we'll be talking about how and why to set up an emergency fund for example, which can be a lifeline when planning to leave.

And The Rest Of Us - What Can We Do?

Awareness is the first step: noticing changes in people you know, listening without judgement and familiarising yourself with the support services above.

The less obvious step is to strengthen your own financial stability.

For yourself, know what's going on and make sure you have access to what you need, separately from anybody else. But also for others, imagine being financially secure enough to offer your own version of a ‘flee fund’ to a friend if needed. Or having the surplus to regularly give to charities and services working in this area.

Financial security is a part of personal self care but it's also community self care.

This week’s considerations to make sure your money is aligned with your values:

Question:
Have you been surprised by any of the signs of economic abuse from today? Have been aware of any in your life or somebody you know?

Task:
Take the Spotting the Signs Challenge today - it takes about five minutes and it's eye-opening.

Quest:
Set up a pot of money, if possible, and call it something like Community Care. It can be a tiny amount. Have it available for when somebody is in need or you're moved to give to a cause. As you use it, top it up at the next available moment. You'll be amazed at how empowering it feels to be able to give generously without a second thought.

Love Eleanor. xxx

P.s. this was scheduled to go out on Friday but… something let me down and it was too important not to send. Back to normal next week.