When people think about domestic abuse, one aspect usually flies under the radar: economic and financial abuse. Yet it often accompanies other forms of abuse–keeping someone from having money, a job, transportation or other resources is an effective way to control them. Thus, economic abuse dominates the constellation of behaviors that abusers use to establish and maintain control of their partners. 

As advocates, we routinely hear from survivors about tight controls around money, with abusive partners demanding they account for every penny and show grocery receipts (to make sure they haven’t received extra cash). One abuser enjoyed humiliating his wife by forcing her to ask for money each time she needed to purchase menstrual supplies. This presumption of authority around household money is reinforced by sexist cultural messages in many forms— from Hallmark cards and song lyrics to movies and television—that have historically presented men as hardworking, rational consumers, and women as shoe-happy spendthrifts. 

The reality is that economic abuse is gendered and embedded cultural norms of marriage and household life privilege men to control money and make decisions. According to the Economic Policy Institute, without parsing by race, women overall earn just 78% compared to their male counterparts across professions and vocations, a dismal and seemingly intractable economic fact. Women of color earn less, and white women slightly more than the average. Moreover, much of the work that dominates women’s daily lives is unpaid caring and domestic work to which they are relegated by societal expectations and by an unspoken permission structure that exempts men. 

These social and economic facts of life present a massive hurdle for survivors. Many struggle to re-enter the labor force after a period of unpaid family work, to feel confident in dealing with financial professionals, and to access money and other financial resources, such as credit, paid work, safe housing, and even their own bank accounts. Abusive ex-partners frequently default on child support as a tactic of post-separation abuse, leaving survivors to support dependent children alone. Financial fallout from a system that disempowers them on so many levels is one of the biggest obstacles to survivors’ safety, agency and sense of security. 

It is important to note that, while poverty is an exacerbating factor in the experiences of many survivors, economic abuse is not isolated to any class or socioeconomic status. Even if a person has an affluent household, or even a high income of their own, their abuser has likely found myriad ways to exploit or waste their money, control their inheritance, and exclude them from household decision-making and personal use of household funds. They may have even stolen their money, ruined their credit, and refused to allow them to keep jointly owned property in good repair. When we see a person expensively dressed, driving a new car, eating in restaurants, and living in a lovely home, we may mistakenly believe that she could not be a victim of domestic abuse. But we would often be wrong. 

One of the most important services that New Hope Midcoast and other regional Domestic Violence Resource Centers provide is to help people get access to material support, safe housing and basic necessities. Ultimately the hope is for financial stability, whatever that looks like for each person. Additionally across Maine, DVRCs are pushing for legislation to help survivors by allocating and keeping funding to sustain critical victims’ programs and services that have been historically underfunded. Currently before the Maine legislature are LD 1139, An Act to Provide Funding for Essential Services for Victims of Crimes, LD 875, An Act To Fund Essential Services For Victims Of Domestic Violence, and LD 666, An Act to Prevent Domestic Violence by Providing Adequate Funding Support for Court-ordered Certified Domestic Violence Intervention Programs. Right now, this goal can seem like a disappearing dot on the horizon, with massive cuts to basic human services at the federal level. It is important to acknowledge the close connection between the larger economy, societal values, and the micro-economies that sustain people in households. Advocates need community support at all levels to keep providing vital services for victims and survivors so they can move on to productive, peaceful lives for themselves and their children. 

New Hope Midcoast is one of Maine’s Regional Domestic Violence Resource Centers and a member of the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence. The nonprofit organization supports people impacted by domestic abuse, dating violence and stalking through housing and legal advocacy, education and prevention programs, and a 24/7 helpline. The organization serves Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox and Waldo counties. New Hope continues to meet clients where they are and recognizes that the impact of domestic abuse is widespread. We are survivor-led here for anyone in need and believe that, together, we can address social concerns that continue right here in our communities.