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Economic Abuse – What is it?
Economic Abuse – What is it?
Economic abuse is a form of violence that often remains hidden because it doesn’t leave visible marks and isn’t explicitly defined by law. Yet, it is alarmingly prevalent, affecting 98% of abusive relationships. Economic Abuse involves using financial resources to exert control, intimidate, or punish a partner. The consequences of economic abuse are profound and enduring, with many women needing around ten years to recover financially after leaving an abusive relationship. Even after a separation, economic abuse can continue through actions such as refusing to pay alimony or child support.
Economic abuse can manifest in various ways, including:
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Withholding information about assets and finances
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Denying access to bank accounts
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Prohibiting the use of checkbooks or credit cards
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Concealing assets
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Closely monitoring every small expense
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Creating debts in a partner's name through fraudulent means
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Preventing a partner from working
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Depriving a partner and children of basic necessities such as food, medicine, education, and welfare.
They restrict a person’s financial freedom and independence, severely impacting their ability to lead a stable and autonomous life.
Law to Prevent Economic Abuse
As of today, there is still no specific law against economic abuse in Israel. The proposed law, written in gender-neutral language, would provide a legal definition for this widespread phenomenon and allow individuals who experience economic abuse within the family (by a spouse or other family members) to petition the court to stop the abuse and even claim damages.
Women's Spirit is one of the initiators and drafters of this proposed legislation. Over the years, we have actively promoted and pushed for the law in collaboration with other civil society organizations, supported by politicians and public figures.
Economic Abuse is abuse in every sense! It is as harmful as other types of abuse. Moreover, economic abuse creates financial dependency on the abuser, making it extremely difficult to leave abusive relationships. This dependency can have devastating effects on lives, even after the relationship ends, making it harder to rebuild their lives and move forward. Passing the law to prevent economic abuse is critical in the fight against domestic violence.
In 2020, the bill passed its first reading in the Knesset (Israeli Parliament), but the legislative process was halted due to the dissolution of the Knesset and the call for new elections. Despite a promise from the Minister of Justice during the 24th Knesset to continue the legislative process, it was not successful, and therefore the continuity clause was not applied to the bill. On July 19, 2023, MK Merav Cohen reintroduced the bill for a preliminary reading. Unfortunately, it was voted down in the Knesset plenum (49 in favor, 54 against).
We continue to call on Knesset members to work towards enacting the law to prevent economic abuse as part of the essential fight against violence against women.
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She Counts
These stories provide a rare glimpse into abusive relationships and illustrate how love can transform into a tool of coercion and control. The women interviewed in the book speak about the destructive economic abuse they endured and the enormous harm they suffered. They describe the isolation and disconnection from family and friends, the manipulations and threats, the decision to leave, the complex journey out of the cycle of abuse, and the helping hands extended to them along the way.
International Coalition Against Economic Abuse
In honor of the International Day for the Elimination of Economic Abuse, held on November 26th, organizations from around the world, including Women's Spirit, have called for international recognition of Economic Abuse, its impacts, and the necessary measures to prevent it.
The International Coalition of Civil Society Organizations addressing this issue released a report that reviews global efforts to combat economic abuse. The report highlights that economic abuse is still not sufficiently recognized as a distinct form of violence within the broader context of domestic violence. This type of abuse often prevents victims-survivors from leaving abusive relationships and obtaining the tools they need to start anew.
The international report, titled "Creating Change: An International Response to Economic Abuse," examines the progress made in combating economic abuse in six countries since 2021. The report aims to increase awareness of the phenomenon, expand the availability of support services, and promote laws and strategies to prevent economic abuse and support victims-survivors at the national level.
Economic Abuse (or economic exploitation) is a form of domestic violence characterized by a pattern of controlling behavior by one partner over the other, involving the restriction, exploitation, or sabotage of financial resources. This control undermines the victim/survivor's autonomy and financial security.
The report emphasizes the importance of focusing on Economic Abuse, raising awareness, and recognizing it as a means to eliminate domestic violence worldwide. Currently, only four countries—Australia, Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom—recognize Economic Abuse as a distinct form of violence in their national strategies or laws for preventing violence.
