The Belfast Area Domestic & Sexual Violence and Abuse Partnership launched their Financial Abuse Guidance Booklet in Stormont on 1 December.
The guidance booklet aims to help anyone experiencing financial abuse. Financial abuse is a non-physical form of domestic abuse and abuse, and an abusive or controlling partner may perpetrate this form of abuse in any of the following ways:
- Controlling money
- Withholding money
- Misspending money – gambling, drinking, etc.
- Restricting access to money for necessities
- Forcing you to explain every expenditure
- Forcing you into debt/running up debt in your name
- Forcing you to take responsibility for all the finances
- Preventing you from earning your own money
- Forcing you to be fraudulent
- Not allowing benefits to be paid in your name
The Financial Abuse Guidance Booklet informs about what financial abuse is and how to recognise it; where to go for practical financial information when separating from an abusive partner; advice on managing debt; and advice on how to separate your finances from your partner’s after you have left the abusive relationship. It also lists a range of services available to support people experiencing financial difficulties.
Please see the full booklet: Financial Abuse Guidance Booklet
If you think you may be experiencing financial or any other form of domestic abuse, please call the 24 Hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Helpline on 0808 802 1414 or text ‘support’ to 07797 805 839 or email 24hrsupport@dvhelpline.org.