Economic abuse

At Refuge we have been working for nearly 40 years to support women and children experiencing domestic violence.  Our experience tells us that domestic violence often involves economic abuse as well as physical, sexual and emotional abuse.  We also know that many women stay with abusive men because they are worried about the financial consequences of leaving and are unaware of the options that are available to them.

The research and guide below are based both on our years of frontline work with women and various public and financial bodies and on the personal experiences of women in our services.

You can afford to leave

(Refuge/Nicola Sharp, 2008)

This guide captures and shares Refuge’s expertise of working with women who have experienced economic abuse issues or who have faced financial worries and concerns when leaving a partner.  Thanks to the discussions we have had with women who use Refuge’s services you will see a number of stories from women who explain the financial challenges they faced  – real women who have experienced economic abuse and domestic violence, but who, with help and support, have gone on to build live free from violence.

This guide was kindly funded by the HBOS Foundation

Download: You can Afford to Leave

This guide is also available in Urdu, Bengali and Hindi. Download below:

You Can Afford to Leave (Urdu)

You Can Afford to Leave (Bengali)

You Can Afford to Leave (Hindi)

NB: Hard copies of the translated guide are currently unavailable. If you have any problems downloading these versions please contact Janqui Mehta on janqui_mehta@refuge.org.uk or 0207 395 7731

What’s Yours is Mine

(Nicola Sharp 2008)

This research into economic abuse and its impacts on women and children experiencing domestic violence was conducted with women and children accessing a cross section of Refuge’s services

Download: What’s Yours is Mine- executive summary

Download: What’s Yours is Mine – Appendices

Please email janqui_mehta@refuge.org.uk for a copy of the full report What’s Yours is Mine

Addressing Needs

(ADP/Refuge 2008)

This research was conducted amongst women accessing a cross section of Refuge’s services in order to determine the financial needs of women experiencing domestic violence, particularly in relation to:

Financial literacy

Budgeting

Income maximization

Credit and debt

This research was kindly funded by the HBOS foundation

Download: Addressing Needs