OZARKA COLLEGE

The below information was taken from the Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence website at:  http://www.econempowerment.org/uda_definition.htm.

What is Economic Abuse?

A complex combination of psychological, cultural, religious, familial and economic factors contribute to a victim’s decision to remain in or leave an abusive relationship. However, domestic violence victims frequently cite income, employment and financial stability as the strongest, most immediate deterrents to leaving abusive situations. The devastation of leaving a home, income, benefits and economic security behind are struggles that all victims of domestic violence must overcome, regardless of their education, job skills and personal earning potential, if they are to care for their families and live more safe and secure lives.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, evidence has shown that women with economic skills are more likely to leave abusive situations and sustain themselves and their families on a long–term basis. Because the path to economic empowerment requires time searching for jobs, participating in job–readiness programs, finding affordable housing and childcare options, repairing credit damaged by abusive partners, and dealing with the day–to–day challenges of taking care of a family, it is not surprising that survivors of domestic violence need unique assistance to become economically secure.

Economic abuse is a tactic used to control a relationship by preventing access to money or other economic resources. It might include:

• Controlling how money is spent
• Withholding money
• Withholding basic living resources, medication or food
• Not allowing the victim to work or earn money
• Stealing the victim’s identity, money, credit or property

To determine whether you are being abused economically, answer these questions below.

Does your partner:

• Steal money from you or your family?
• Force you to give him or her access to your accounts?
• Make you feel as though you don’t have a right to know any details about money or household resources?
• Make financial or investment decisions that affect you or the family without consulting or reaching agreement with you?
• Refuse to include you in important meetings with banks, financial planners or retirement specialists?
• Prevent or forbid you to work or attend school or skill–training sessions?
• Overuse your credit cards or refuse to pay the bills (thus ruining your credit)?
• Force you to file fraudulent tax claims?
• Prevent you from owning or using credit cards or bank cards?
• Withhold physical resources including food, clothes, necessary medications or shelter from you?
• Force you to work in a family business for little or no pay?
• Refuse to work to help support the family?
• Interfere with work performance through harassing and monitoring activities like frequent telephone calls or visits to your workplace?
• Force you to turn over your benefit payments?
• Threaten to report you for “cheating” on your benefits so that your benefits will be cut off, even if you aren’t cheating?
• Force you to cash in, sell or sign over any financial assets or inheritance you own (e.g., bonds, stock or property)?
• Force you to agree to power-of-attorney so he can sign legal documents without your knowledge?