Domestic financial abuse can start early

Domestic violence occurs when one partner in a relationship gradually gains power and control over the other through intimidation, manipulation, threats, or coercion. And while most people only think of physical abuse when it comes to domestic violence, it is important to note that abuse includes emotional, sexual, verbal, physical, digital, legal, and very often financial abuse.

Although largely overlooked in the dialogue about domestic violence, financial abuse is pervasive in survivors’ experiences and occurs in 99% of abusive relationships, according to estimates from the National Network to End Domestic Violence. According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, financial abuse is behavior “aimed at controlling a person’s ability to acquire, use, or maintain economic resources and endangering their self-sufficiency and financial autonomy.” NNEDV also reports that financial abuse occurs across all socioeconomic, educational, racial and ethnic groups. Yet, according to NNEDV and the Allstate Foundation, 78% of Americans still have not heard of financial abuse as a dimension of domestic violence.