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By Ivette Alvarez

UNDERSTANDING FINANCIAL ABUSE

Financial abuse is a common tactic used by batterers to control and isolate their partner. It can have far-reaching and devastating consequences. Because the experience of the abuse is different for every person (female or male), I will be addressing from varying backgrounds may experience when trying to overcome financial abuse.
I will also provide information to consider before ending a relationship with an abusive partner including strategies to protect your safety. It does not have all the answers but is a start. Also, please note that the information is intended to inform and to be general information for individuals involved in an abusive relationship. However, not everyone’s situation is the same.

What is financial abuse?

Financial abuse often begins subtly and progresses over the time. The aim of financial abuse, as with others forms of abuse, is to gain power and control in a relationship. Financial abuse along with the emotional and physical abuse, manipulation, intimidati9on and threats are aimed at getting and maintaining control over another person. The purpose is to trap them in the relationship.

Financial abuse is a tactic used to control relationships by preventing access to money or other financial resources. It may include:

• Controlling money how is spend
• Withholding money or “giving an allowance”
• Withholding basic living resources, medication, or food
• Not allowing their partner to work or earn money
• Stealing their partners identity, money, credit, or property
• May justify behavior as a cultural

It can be difficult for couples to navigate the complexities of family finances and almost all couples have arguments about money. However, in financially health relationships, couples successfully negotiate their wants and needs in the following ways:

• Both partners have access to financial statements and information although one partner might manage the day-to-day finances and bill paying
• Couples identify when they have different values about money and negotiate joint financial goals
• Couples set plans to meet joint goals and stick to them
• Couples recognize and respect that decision-making is equal regardless of who earns more income for the family
• Each partner has access to money on their own without having to ask for permission or hide their spending
• Financial decisions are made jointly between partners, and
• Both partners have access to money and knowledge about where and how money is spent, and neither a partner is deceitful
These are elements that appear in a happy, productive, and loving relationships. A true partnership does not include any facet of financial abuse and includes open dialogue, communication, and agreement to all financial matters.

Legal disclaimer: the information provided is not offered with the intention of providing legal advice, nor should be interpreted in any way as such. The information provided does not extend or limit the jurisdiction of the family and/or civil courts according to what is established by the regulation and law. Nothing contained in this post or in any other type of information published in this blog should limit the discretionary power of family and/or civil court or any other court and/or judges to act in accordance with the regulations and the law.