The Financial Chains That Bind: Victims of Domestic Abuse

As the YWCA celebrates 20 years of the Week Without Violence (Oct. 19 – 26, 2015)— a campaign to mobilize people in communities across the United States to take action against all forms of violence wherever it may occur, BlackEnterprise.com spoke with YWCA (USA) CEO, Dara Richardson-Heron Ph.D., about one of the least discussed, yet most impactful aspects of domestic abuse:  financial abuse.

In financial abuse, perpetrators control their victim by using tactics like withholding access to money, destroying their credit, or hurting their job performance.

[Related: Helping Domestic Violence Victims Create Financial Security]

“While this type of abuse leaves no bruises, it can be one of the most oppressive forms of intimate partner violence. In fact, it is often cited as the number one reason women cannot leave an unsafe relationship,” says Richardson-Heron. “Without the resources necessary to care for oneself and children, victims of domestic violence are too often forced to make unfair decisions between their safety and their economic stability,” she adds.

A poll by the Allstate Foundation finds that:

• Financial abuse happens in 98% of all cases of domestic violence
• However, 75% Americans also fail to connect domestic violence with economic abuse
• 96% of domestic violence victims who are employed experience problems at work due to abuse

Richardson-Heron shared her wealth of knowledge and many of her insights on the issue of financial abuse with us.

BlackEnterprise.com: How big a role does income inequality play in economics becoming a factor in domestic abuse?

Richardson-Heron: Building skills and planning for the future are critical steps women must take to get safe and stay safe. However, pervasive gender and racial income inequality still place women at an economic disadvantage. Women are more likely to occupy low-wage jobs with little to no benefits. In fact, they comprise more than half of minimum wage workers and are less likely to have paid sick days or control over their work schedules. While wealthy women can also become victims of financial abuse, these disparities are part of a larger culture of inequality that allows abuse to occur. Furthermore, unfair workplace policies contribute to a victim’s inability to maintain work life while surviving in, or working to leave, an abusive relationship. To address these systemic issues, YWCA works daily for legislative change to build a society that supports victims of domestic violence rather than placing more barriers in their way.

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What are some common forms of financial abuse in domestic violence situations?
Financial abuse is not

always as obvious as some may believe. One unexpected form is when an abusive partner refuses to work or contribute to household expenses, making the other partner solely responsible for all financial duties. Another more common abusive tactic, is to accrue an unreasonable amount of debt for the other partner or for their family unit. Many survivors of domestic violence have had their credit destroyed by a partner who intentionally overspent as a means to gain power and control. For victims of violence who have English as a second language, perpetrators isolate their partners by limiting their movement and access to resources that could help improve their language skills, and, in turn, limiting their employment opportunities.

Isn’t it also common for abusers to tamper with the victim’s ability to work?
In most workplaces, domestic violence is not discussed and is often misunderstood. Victims of domestic violence who are employed, can face sabotage by their abusive partners. It is not uncommon for an abuser to tamper with alarm clocks, clothing, and vehicles, causing the victim to be late to work or appear erratic to supervisors and colleagues. In addition, stalking or causing altercations at the victim’s place of work can have dire consequences on a domestic violence victim’s ability to maintain a job. Domestic violence, like all violence, is on a spectrum with many facets and nuances.

What are some steps victims can take who feel paralyzed by this situation?
Many people do not realize that victims of domestic violence are the best assessors of their own safety. As I have discussed, taking a victim-centered approach is an important part of supporting victims and ending domestic violence once and for all. In this case, that entails acknowledging that the victim knows what is best for her, her family, and her situation. A good domestic violence advocate will come alongside her and help assess her needs, her unique circumstances, and identify the cultural and institutional barriers she is navigating in order

to map out a safety plan for her. While first steps for victims of domestic violence will vary greatly depending on their individual circumstances, for many survivors of domestic violence, disclosing their experience to a trusted friend, family member, or calling a hotline is the first step they take. Responding with support and believing victims when they disclose their abuse is a very simple act that any of us can do to be part of the solution.

When you look at the efforts of the YWCA, and other organizations committed to helping victims, how would you say the country is doing on this issue? Are things getting better?
On the ground working with victims of domestic violence and here in Washington D.C. pushing for policy change, organizations like ours are doing incredible work to end domestic violence. YWCA alone provides services to over 570,000 women and families who are taking steps to get safe and stay safe, and we do this in conjunction with other domestic violence service providers across the country. From a policy perspective, YWCA is proud to be one of many women’s organizations that successfully fought to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and push for increased measures within the law that have effectively expanded access to services for some of the most vulnerable victims, such as Native Americans, immigrants, and LGBTQ victims. However, our work does not end there. American women are 11 times more likely to be shot and killed than women in any other industrialized nation; this statistic is unacceptable. As such, YWCA is committed to addressing the unfinished business of VAWA: closing key loopholes in federal gun laws to save the lives of millions of women and families faced with the threat of gun violence at home.