Just 2 in 5 UK adults are aware that domestic abuse can include a financial element, finds new research from Citizens Advice.
Restrictions on day-to-day spending or being forced to take on debts are amongst the problems victims of domestic abuse can face which can trap them in damaging relationships, evidence from the national charity has previously shown.
Last year the Government made the welcome announcement that it would address non-physical abuse and make ‘coercive control’ illegal.
New evidence published by Citizens Advice shows important strides need to be made in making people aware of financial abuse.
The findings are from a survey of over 2,000 people, carried out for Citizens Advice by ComRes. It also reveals many people are not aware that domestic abuse extends beyond physical violence:
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4 in 10 people (39 per cent) are not aware making a partner account for all their spending can constitute domestic abuse;
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More than half (55 per cent) do not recognise taking out a loan in a victim’s name without them knowing as a form of abuse;
The Citizens Advice report Controlling money, controlling lives last year revealed that victims of financial abuse had access to their bank accounts restricted, were stolen from and had their property destroyed. Some victims sought help after being left with huge debts when they were forced to take out loans for their abuser. The financial abuse was in some cases accompanied by intimidation, physical violence and even repeated death threats.
Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said:
“No domestic abuse should go under the radar. Perpetrators of abuse use financial control and psychological cruelty to make their victims feel powerless. Victims can find themselves subjected to a barrage of put-downs to undermine their confidence or forced to account for every penny spent so that they are isolated.
“The last Government led the way on domestic abuse when it announced it would make coercive control illegal. To ensure this makes the needed difference it is important people feel equipped to recognise domestic abuse. Getting more people to be aware of the reality of domestic abuse and the different forms experienced by victims is crucial. Guidelines to help police and the courts prosecute perpetrators of coercive control under the new law will be an important part of this.”
To ensure the Government’s announced law is able to deliver strong protections for domestic abuse victims Citizens Advice is working with specialists to provide tools to tackle financial abuse. The national charity is also developing guidance that will better equip everyone, from friends and family through to professionals, to better identify all forms of abuse and take the right steps to help victims get the support they need.
Some victims of domestic abuse do not recognise that their experiences constitute domestic abuse. A survey of Citizens Advice advisers who help victims revealed in that in these cases the abuse the victim has experienced includes financial abuse 77 per cent of the time.
Seeking help
If you are experiencing domestic violence or abuse, or you are concerned someone you know might be in an abusive relationship, you can seek help by calling confidential freephone helplines:
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If the victim is a man, you can get help from the Men’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0327
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If the victim is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, you can get specialised help from Broken Rainbow on 0300 999 5428
You can also come in to seek help around domestic abuse from your local Citizens Advice Bureau and online at www.citizensadvice.org.uk.
Domestic violence and abuse
The official definition of domestic abuse from the Home Office is: “Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to:
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Psychological
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Physical
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Sexual
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Financial
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Emotional.”
Controlling behaviour is defined as: “a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.”
Coercive behaviour is defined as: “an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.”