You Are Here

Domestic Violence and Financial Empowerment

by Kelly M. Glenn

One way in which domestic violence abusers exercise power and control over their victims is to limit their financial independence. This behavior makes it more difficult for victims to leave their abusers because the victim either cannot or believes they cannot support themselves. Let’s take a closer look at specific abusive behaviors related to finances that keep victims in abusive homes and relationships:

What financial abuse behaviors do abusers exhibit to control their victims?

  • opening bank accounts only in their own names and failing to authorize their victim to make withdrawals or to make payments using these accounts;
  • maintaining control over all bills and closely monitoring expenditures;
  • maintaining all credit cards in the abuser’s name or adding the victim as an authorized user but monitoring/questioning expenditures;
  • giving their victims cash to spend on necessities but requiring receipts;
  • failing to provide necessities for the victim and/or the victim’s child(ren) unless or until the victim has met certain requirements established by the abuser;
  • applying for all loans in the name of the abuser and keeping the victim in a state of having an immature or undeveloped credit profile;
  • applying for some or all loans in the name of the victim and creating a negative credit history for the victim when the abuser fails to pay or pay on time;
  • ensuring they are the only source of income for the victim and/or their child(ren) by not allowing the victim to work or attend school;
  • harassing the victim while at work, making it difficult for the victim to perform without distraction; and
  • ensuring the abuser is the only source of transportation for the victim, which limits the victim’s access to financial resources the abuser is not aware of.

Victims and their children benefit from the financial empowerment of the victim, but establishing financial independence from an abuser can be very daunting, especially if a victim is closely monitored by the abuser and/or feels overwhelmed by or ill-equipped to tackle financial decisions. Here are a few suggestions that could help a victim feel empowered to leave an abusive relationship and support themselves and their child(ren):

How can a victim establish financial independence?

  • Run a credit report. Even if the victim’s credit history is poor, knowledge is power. Nothing about credit history can improve until the victim knows how many accounts in “poor standing” are on the victim’s report.
  • Work with a financial advisor. Financial advisors can give the victim sound advice and resources for repairing credit history and saving for the future. Victims should work with trustworthy financial advisors who will keep the victim’s information and status in strict confidence. (Depending upon the situation, it may be to the victim’s benefit to advise the financial advisor of the abuser’s control tactics.)
  • Establish credit. There are programs, such as ones supported by organizations like the Allstate Foundation, that assist victims with building or repairing their credit through small accounts and loans. These programs often provide victims with financial tips and education that they may have not had access to while in an abusive relationship.
  • Pursue educational and career opportunities. While this may be very challenging for a victim of abuse to take advantage of due to an abuser’s “watchful eye,” it is important for victims to feel encouraged to pursue these opportunities when they are able to. Every time a victim of abuse does something to improve themselves, they increase their chances of being able to financially support themselves later. These opportunities can come in the form of free webinars, running small home-based businesses, joining community groups that offer collective support to members, and more. Even establishing work experience through the guise of volunteering can make a difference.
  • Stash cash. It is important to note that this can be very risky for some victims and that victims should only attempt this if they feel confident they can accomplish this without the abuser’s discovery. Stashing cash, even in small amounts, can give a victim a head start on financial independence from an abuser. Safely stashing cash may done alone or with the help of a trustworthy friend or relative. As mentioned above, some programs exist to assist victims with setting up safe ways of accruing cash and/or credit.

For more information on the impact of financial abuse on victims of domestic violence, as well as resources for how to reach financial empowerment, visit the Allstate Foundation’s Domestic Violence Program here.

Suggested Citation for this Article

Glenn, K.M., Criminal Justice Know How, LLC, October 2020, Domestic Violence and Financial Empowerment. https://criminaljusticeknowhow.com/domestic-violence-and-financial-empowerment/.

Related Posts