Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Heal, Hold & Center
Abuse can take many forms, and while physical abuse is often recognized due to visible injuries, other types can be less apparent yet just as harmful. One of these is financial abuse, which can have a profound impact on victims. According to the National Hotline for Domestic Violence, financial abuse is rooted in the desire of one partner to have power and control over the other.
The Overlooked Aspect: Financial Abuse
It’s crucial to recognize that intimate partner violence affects millions of people across the United States. Alarmingly, 27% of contacts with the National Domestic Violence Hotline report experiencing financial abuse in their abusive relationships. Research from the National Network to End Domestic Violence shows that financial abuse occurs in 99% of domestic violence cases and is a significant component affecting nearly all victims. Many survivors stay in or return to abusive relationships due to fears about their financial stability and their ability to care for their children. Financial abuse can impact individuals across all socio-economic, educational, racial, and ethnic groups.
Financial abuse can take various forms, including:
- Controlling Employment: Preventing a partner from working or attending school, leading to job loss or diminished career prospects.
- Withholding Earnings: Taking the money earned from work or public assistance and refusing to give access to it.
- Incurring Debt: Taking loans or credit in a partner’s name without their knowledge, leading to unmanageable debt.
- Restricting Access: Controlling how money is spent and accessed, making it difficult for the victim to meet basic needs.
Resources Available
At the Community Empowerment Fund (CEF), we offer Safe Savings Accounts with a 20% match opportunity, as well as financial coaching focused on budgeting and credit repair. Our programs can provide survivors with a secure way to save money away from their abusers and help them regain financial independence.
Local Resources:
- Standup Speakout NC – Durham
- Compass Center – Chapel Hill, NC
- Shining Light In Darkness (SLID)
