Economic Abuse

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Economic abuse is one of the most powerful forms of abuse in terms of trapping a victim in the cycle of abuse. 99% of abusive situations include some form of financial abuse because it gives the abuser all the power, all the freedom, and all the free will.
The definition of economic abuse as written by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence says “Financial / economic abuse is when one intimate partner has control over the other partner’s ability to access, acquire, use or maintain economic resources, which diminishes the victim’s capacity to support themselves and forces intentioned dependence. Economic abuse is cited as the main reason victims stay or return to abusive relationships.”

So recognizing what it is, how it begins, and determining NOT to give your financial rights away, will be instrumental in how quickly and easily you can extricate yourself from an abusive relationship.