Financial Abuse
Financial abuse is often misunderstood but can have a serious impact on mental health. It is an aspect of domestic violence and is controlling and coercive behaviour which can leave victims, usually women, with no money for basic essentials such as food and clothing. It can leave them without access to their own bank accounts and with debts built up by abusive partners set against their names.
In 2014 Women’s Aid undertook research into financial abuse and of the 126 respondents 77% said their mental health had been affected and 61% were in debt as a result of the abuse.
“Depression and stress were the main effects and they don't go away. It's from everything to do with money and all the problems. My brain's frazzled and I can't stop worrying ”
“I am in a never ending divorce settlement started by domestic violence to me. I still don’t know if my house is safe ”