Economic abuse: sources of help & support
One in five women in the UK has experienced economic abuse by a current or former partner in the past 12 months – equivalent to 5.5 million people (source: www.survivingeconomicabuse.org).
Economic (or financial) abuse is often present alongside other forms of abuse, being part of a group of abusive behaviours known as 'coercive control’.
If you or someone you know is affected by this destructive form of abuse, there is specialist help available, and we’ve provided details of the main sources below:
Resources and signposting
Financial support line: run by Money Advice Plus, offering specialist advice to anyone experiencing domestic abuse who is in financial difficulty: Tel. 0808 196 8845 (Mon-Fri 9am – 1pm and 2-5pm)
Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) website: aimed at anyone whose current or former partner has interfered with their money or financial situation: https://survivingeconomicabuse.org/i-need-help/.
Topics covered include:
- survivors’ forum
- banking support directory detailing the help major UK banks can provide
- de-linking your finances from an abuser
- housing & property, debt, banking and legal advice
- information on economic abuse in other languages
‘Controlling your financial future: 6 moments that matter’ (from SEA) - a guide covering financial wellbeing advice for women, highlighting the signs and impact of economic abuse, and how to be in, stay in, and take back financial control: Controlling-Your-Financial-Future-6-Moments-That-Matter.pdf
‘My Money, My Life – a financial guide for victims of domestic violence’ (from Refuge): My-Money-My-Life.pdf
The Survivor’s Handbook – including information on creating a safe financial future (from Women’s Aid): https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/the-survivors-handbook/
Debt advice
Stepchange: Financial Help To Deal With Money Worries. StepChange
National Debtline: call 0808 808 4000 or chat online with an adviser via https://nationaldebtline.org/get-help/webchat
Debt advice locator tool from the Money & Pensions Service: https://debt-advice-locator.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/question-1
Factsheets on a range of debt and money topics including rent arrears, bailiffs, court judgement and parking penalties: A-Z debt advice | National Debtline
Mental health support
Woman’s Trust – a specialist mental health charity for women who’ve experienced domestic abuse: https://womanstrust.org.uk/
Mental Health & Money Advice website – practical advice and support for people experiencing issues with mental health & money: https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/
MIND (including an Infoline for help & signposting, as well as Legal and Welfare Benefits specialist helplines): http://www.mind.org.uk
Managing your money
Crosslight’s Money Course, Cost of Living Toolkit & Budget Coaching programme - practical money skills for navigating everyday life, including free in-person and online workshops, and one-to-one budget coaching (from Crosslight Advice): www.themoneycourse.org/join
Money Helper – simple explanations of a wide range of money topics + calculators and tools to help you understand your options (from the Money and Pensions Service): https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en
Money Saving Expert – Martin Lewis’s fantastic resource with up-to-date information on money topics, personal finance and consumer issues: Money Saving Expert: Credit Cards, Shopping, Bank Charges, Cheap Flights and more