Financial abuse can take many forms, from denying you all access to funds, to making you solely responsible for all finances while handling money irresponsibly himself. Money becomes a tool by which the abuser can further control the victim, ensuring either her financial dependence on him, or shifting the responsibility of keeping a roof over the family's head onto the victim while simultaneously denying your ability to do so or obstructing you.

Financial abuse can include the following:

·       preventing you from getting or keeping a job

·        denying you sufficient housekeeping

·        having to account for every penny spent

·        denying access to cheque book/account/finances

·        putting all bills in your name

·        threatening to force you out of the house and make you homeless and destitute

·        withholding information about welfare benefits

·        demanding your paychecks

·        spending the money allocated to bills/groceries on himself

·        forcing you to beg or commit crimes for money

·        spending Child Benefit on himself

·        not permitting you to spend available funds on yourself or children

·        making you give up your savings

·        not working themselves but forcing you to work to pay for everything

Financial abuse can have serious and long term effects on women and children experiencing it. Women and children can become trapped in a cycle of poverty, they can experience physical and psychological ill health, isolation and feeling that they can’t escape from the abusive relationship.

For more information about financial abuse, please visit the YWCA website

YWCA Factsheet

Download the Home Office leaflet ‘Domestic violence – financial control, emotional abuse’ (leaflet) or visit the Home Office website

If you are experiencing financial abuse, or domestic abuse of any kind, contact the Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 80 10 800.