Economic Abuse: A Hidden Form of Domestic Violence Exposed

Strategic Insights -

Amy, a survivor of 25 years of violence and sexual abuse, shared her harrowing story of being economically manipulated by her ex-husband, who controlled every aspect of her life, including her finances. Her experience is a manifestation of the pervasive issue of economic abuse, a form of mistreatment where one partner exploits the other's access to financial resources. According to a survey by Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA), approximately 15% of women in the UK have been affected by economic abuse in the year leading up to November 2024, which could translate to around 4.1 million individuals.

Key Takeaways:

  • Economic abuse is a subtle yet devastating form of domestic violence that affects millions of people worldwide, especially women.
  • The manipulation of finances is a common tactic used by abusers to control and exploit their partners, leaving them powerless and trapped in abusive relationships.
  • Women are disproportionately affected by economic abuse, with a survey revealing that 15% of women in the UK have been affected in the past year, equivalent to around 4.1 million individuals.
  • The issue has been understated for far too long, with governments failing to address it despite numerous strategies being put in place. SEA hopes that the new Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy will make a significant impact in tackling economic abuse.
  • The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has reported that an estimated 10.6% of individuals in England and Wales have experienced at least one type of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking in the year leading up to March 2025.
  • Economic abuse seldom occurs in isolation, often coinciding with physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, with 56% of women who suffered economic abuse from a current or former partner also subjected to other forms of abusive behaviour.
  • The government has earmarked £160m for local councils to provide victims with secure accommodation and access to social housing without the need for a local connection.

Statistics:

  • 15% of women in the UK have been affected by economic abuse in the year leading up to November 2024 (SEA survey)
  • Around 4.1 million individuals in the UK are estimated to be affected by economic abuse (SEA survey)
  • 10.6% of individuals in England and Wales have experienced at least one type of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking in the year leading up to March 2025 (ONS estimate)
  • 12.8% of women and 8.4% of men in England and Wales have experienced one or more of these crime types by March 2025 (ONS estimate)
  • 5.1 million people in England and Wales are estimated to have encountered one or more of these crime types by March 2025 (ONS estimate)
  • £160m has been earmarked for local councils to provide victims with secure accommodation and access to social housing without the need for a local connection (government initiative)

Sources:

  • Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) survey, November 2024
  • Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimate, March 2025
  • National Audit Office report, 2021
  • Government initiative, £160m for local councils to provide victims with secure accommodation and access to social housing without the need for a local connection