The Hidden Financial Toll of Domestic Abuse on Women

Introduction

Domestic abuse is a pervasive issue affecting women of all backgrounds regardless of socioeconomic status. For many women, the abuse extends beyond physical or emotional harm and often involves financial exploitation at the hands of their partners. Many abusers suggest that their partner hand over financial control subtly by offering to take care of them. The women become financially dependent, making it even harder to escape a dangerous situation. Domestic abuse affects women across all financial divides often leaving them impoverished, low self-esteem and trapped.

Confident, educated creative women who had amassed significant financial nest eggs are not exempt from domestic abuse. Their abusive partners often convince them to hand over their finances, using an array of excuses such as "you have too much on your plate”. Women are often ashamed to admit they are in abusive relationships, and their self-confidence has eroded to the point where they believe they are inferior or unlovable. They, therefore, stay even when they want to leave.

Financial abuse is prevalent in domestic abuse cases, with abusers leveraging their partners' income and resources to exert power and control over them. Abusers have been known to create a situation where the victim has no choice but to remain in the relationship, especially when they are financially dependent. The victim is often unable to work due to mental or physical abuse, lack of flexible work schedules and the inability to afford childcare.

Survivors of domestic abuse often find themselves financially and emotionally poor. They sometimes lose everything they have worked for in a relationship. The abuser controls all financial decisions, leaving the victim with little financial resources to fall back on when they leave the relationship.???Many women are financially dependent on their abusers and feel helpless, so they stay. Some may not even have a bank account or credit card in their name, making it impossible for them to leave. They may even be too frightened to ask for money for fear of retaliation.

Too often, women who are abused are badly injured some may die of their injuries at the hands of their partners especially if they threatened to leave. Sadly, shame and lack of resources keep countless women in abusive relationships, creating a vicious cycle that can be difficult to break. It is important to speak out about domestic violence and encourage women to seek support, especially when it looks like they have everything together on the outside. Just because a person appears to have it all doesn’t mean they are immune to the dangers of domestic abuse.

Conclusion

Domestic abuse affects women of all backgrounds, breeds fear, and robs them of their right to live life independently. When women are encouraged to give up their financial power, they become vulnerable to a host of dangers that are difficult to overcome. It is essential to encourage and empower women to speak out against domestic violence and seek support before it’s too late. Regardless of their financial status, everyone deserves to live a life free of fear and oppression.

If this is you please reach out to the folks at?https://www.savvyladies.org.??They offer free services and can help with abuse, divorce or even widows who are grieving and don’t understand their finances well.??They also have many resources and courses that can be helpful.

Just as you don’t have to grieve alone – you can reach out to me at?[email protected]

For more information on Stacy Francis, my recent guest on the Let’s Talk About Grief Podcast, she knows firsthand about abuse.??Her grandmother died at the hands of her abuser.??Stacy vowed that she’d never allow that to happen to her.??She is on a mission to help other women understand the world of finances and gain confidence when dealing with divorce, abuse or grief.??You can listen to her full interview to learn more wisdom from her.?https://bit.ly/3Kl8Pk0