At Paragon, we support people affected by all forms of domestic abuse, including economic abuse. Economic abuse is a form of domestic abuse legally recognised under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
Economic abuse happens when someone controls your money, limits your access to financial resources, or prevents you from being financially independent. It often takes place alongside other abusive behaviours.
Economic abuse can include:
- Stopping you from accessing your own bank account, money, or benefits. This may include taking away your bank card, withholding account passwords, or insisting that all finances are kept in your partner’s name.
- Preventing you from getting a job or keeping one. A partner may stop you from working by discouraging you from applying for jobs, insisting you stay at home, or claiming they need you to always be available.
- Monitoring, limiting, or controlling how you spend your money. An abuser may demand receipts for everything you buy, question you about small purchases, or insist on approving every transaction.
- Refusing to contribute to shared household costs or bills. This involves deliberately withholding financial contributions for housing, utilities, food, or childcare, even when they have the means to pay. As a result, the entire financial burden is placed on you, leading to stress, debt, and increased vulnerability.
- Taking out credit in your name or building up debt without your consent. An abuser may pressure you to sign financial documents you don’t understand, apply for loans or credit cards in your name, or use your personal information to take out credit without your knowledge.
Economic abuse can leave you feeling trapped or unable to leave a relationship. If this is happening to you, or if you’re unsure and want to talk things through, support is available.
Understanding economic abuse
Economic abuse is a recognised form of domestic abuse. It can involve:
- Restricting a person’s access to financial resources
- Removing their economic independence
- Controlling or influencing financial decision-making
Economic abuse often occurs alongside psychological, physical, emotional, or other forms of abuse. The impact can create significant barriers to leaving an abusive relationship.
Long‑term effects may include
- Financial dependence
- Reduced ability to work or study
- Housing instability
- Long-term or coerced debt
Early recognition is vital for effective safeguarding and safety planning.
Examples
- Blocking access to bank accounts, cash, or benefits
- Sabotaging or preventing employment, education, or training
- Monitoring, limiting, or controlling spending
- Refusing to contribute to shared bills or essentials
- Accruing debt in the victim’s name or coercing them into credit agreements
One in 6 women have experienced a form of economic abuse from a partner
Where to get help
- Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) – Information and resources Surviving Economic Abuse
- FearFree (Wiltshire) – Specialist domestic abuse support
- Paragon (Swindon) – Support for adults, children, and young people
- Swindon Women’s Aid (SWA) – Domestic abuse support and safe accommodation
