What is economic violence?
Economic violence, a form of intimate partner violence (IPV), often remains hidden yet is as damaging as physical abuse. In the introductory post to this series, I shared Stella’s story about her live-in boyfriend, who refused to work and relied entirely on her for financial support while sabotaging her ability to maintain that support. Stella recalled an instance when she came home late, and her boyfriend grabbed and smashed her laptop. On another occasion, he dropped her phone in a glass of water after accusing her of speaking to other men during a work call.
Unlike physical abuse, economic violence often goes unnoticed. It is concealed behind the invisible chains of financial control that perpetuate the victim’s dependency on the abuser. Stella’s experience is just one of many such cases. While men can also be victims, women are disproportionately affected. This post illustrates how economic violence manifests in real life, eroding the victim's financial autonomy and independence.
Preventing further education
Economic violence does not end at the workplace or within the home; it often extends to thwarting educational aspirations. Picture this: you have just completed university and are eager to pursue a Master’s degree or PhD. The opportunity might take you abroad or to a different city for vocational training. However, you are married, possibly with children. While some women may choose to forgo these opportunities due to family obligations, others are outrightly denied the chance by their husbands.
Case studies: Missed career opportunities
Rita’s missed opportunity: Rita, a promising young scholar, was awarded a fully-funded scholarship to pursue her PhD in the United States. However, her husband refused to let her go, insisting that her place was at home with their children. Despite her strong desire to further her education and secure a better future for her family, Rita was forced to decline the opportunity. Despite her qualifications and aspirations, Rita found herself trapped in a cycle of dependency and unfulfilled potential.
Maria’s compromised career: During her fourth year at a technical college, Maria was offered a COOP opportunity in another state. This was a crucial step toward entering the workforce and advancing her career. However, her boyfriend at the time refused to let her take it, threatening to end their relationship if she left. Ironically, when he received an opportunity to advance his career abroad, he accepted it and ended their relationship, accusing Maria of lacking ambition.
Sabotaging a partner’s work opportunities
Sabotaging a partner’s work opportunities involves deliberate actions aimed at undermining their professional success. This behaviour often stems from jealousy, insecurity, or resentment and can manifest in various forms, such as obstructing work-related activities, spreading false information, or creating a hostile environment that hinders career progression. The intent is to weaken the partner’s professional standing, leading to lost opportunities, damaged reputations, and, in some cases, the complete collapse of their careers.
Case studies: Deliberate sabotage
Angela's story: Angela built a successful flower export business from the ground up. Her partnership with an international company promised significant growth. However, her husband repeatedly sent their house help away, leaving Angela without childcare for their children. As a result, she missed critical business meetings and deadlines, leading her international partners to sever ties. Angela’s business collapsed, leaving her without an income, all due to her husband's deliberate sabotage.
Sandra and John: Sandra resented her husband, John, due to ongoing personal conflicts. In response, she secretly contacted John’s employer and falsely accused him of unethical behaviour. She also spread rumours among his colleagues about his alleged misconduct. As a result, John’s reputation at work was damaged, leading to a loss of trust from his employer and colleagues, which ultimately hindered his career progression.
Mark and Emma: Mark felt insecure about his wife, Emma’s, successful career as a consultant. To undermine her, he intercepted important emails and messages, causing Emma to miss crucial deadlines and meetings. He also sent false messages to Emma’s clients and colleagues, questioning her reliability and professionalism. As a result, Emma’s reputation suffered, leading to a loss of trust from her clients and colleagues, which significantly impacted her consultancy work.
Destroying work-related items
Destroying work-related items is a deliberate act of sabotage, where one partner damages or ruins essential tools and resources such as laptops, documents, transportation, or work attire. This behaviour directly undermines the affected partner’s professional abilities and economic independence, making it a clear form of economic abuse.
Case studies: Undermining professional independence
Jane's story: Jane, a dedicated professional, shared a car with her husband, which she relied on to commute to work and attend important meetings. Her husband, increasingly resentful of her career success, intentionally neglected the vehicle’s maintenance. Despite knowing they both needed the car, he refused to service it and often left the tank empty, causing frequent breakdowns and delays. Jane’s consistent late arrivals and missed appointments eventually damaged her professional reputation. The situation escalated to the point where Jane lost her job, leaving her financially vulnerable and dependent on her husband.
David and Lisa: Lisa, a freelance graphic designer, relied on her high-end laptop and specialised software to deliver projects to her clients. Her husband, David, feeling insecure about her growing success, began targeting her work tools. One evening, during an argument, David deliberately poured water over her laptop, destroying years of work and client contacts. Without her essential equipment, Lisa missed critical deadlines and lost several key clients. The financial strain and loss of professional credibility left Lisa struggling to rebuild her career while grappling with the emotional toll of David’s continued sabotage.
Coercing a partner into quitting their job
Economic violence can take the form of coercing a partner into quitting their job, a tactic that severely impacts both the individual and the relationship. This pressure often leads to isolation, stripping the person of their social connections, financial independence, and sense of purpose. It is a form of control that undermines autonomy and can leave the victim vulnerable and dependent.
Case studies: Eroding financial autonomy
Sarah and Tom: Sarah was a successful marketing executive when she married Tom. After their wedding, Tom began pressuring her to quit her job, insisting that she should focus solely on being a full-time wife and mother. He used both physical and psychological tactics, telling her that a "real" wife would not need to work. Eventually, Sarah gave in and quit her job, losing not only her financial independence but also her social network. As the months passed, she became increasingly isolated and depressed, entirely dependent on Tom for money and approval.
Erica and Christopher: Erica came from a wealthy family, and while at university, her parents bought her a car. However, when she started dating Christopher, he began to control her use of the car. As their relationship progressed, Christopher did everything he could to make it difficult for Erica to continue working. He refused to help with the children, often hiding her car keys or misplacing important work-related documents. He relentlessly pressured Erica to quit her job, belittling her work and saying, “Your job is not important; you cannot do it; you are the dumbest woman I have ever met.” Eventually, Erica felt forced to resign. A few years later, Christopher abandoned her, leaving her to raise their two young children alone and shoulder the responsibilities of school fees, food, medical care, and rent.
Denying access to family resources
Denying access to family resources is a form of economic control where one partner restricts the other’s access to shared assets, financial information, or essential services. This can involve withholding money, concealing assets, or limiting access to healthcare, ultimately leading to dependency and a loss of autonomy for the affected partner.
Case studies: Financial control
Hidden assets and financial isolation: Mark, a successful entrepreneur, agreed with his wife, Emily, that she would be a stay-at-home mother. Mark controls all their financial affairs, including bank accounts, investments, and property titles, while maintaining offshore accounts. He deliberately keeps Emily in the dark about their true financial situation and denies her access to cash or credit cards. Emily is forced to rely solely on the limited allowance Mark provides, leaving her financially dependent and trapped in the marriage. Mark’s hidden assets and financial secrecy deepen her vulnerability.
Restricted healthcare: Lisa was diagnosed with a chronic illness requiring regular medical treatment. However, her husband, who managed all their finances, refused to pay for her medical expenses. He restricted her access to their joint bank account, making it impossible for Lisa to afford the necessary care. As her condition worsened, she was eventually hospitalised. Her husband's refusal to cover her medical costs was a clear act of economic violence, compounding her physical suffering with financial hardship.
Why we should care about economic violence
Economic violence, like other forms of intimate partner violence, has severe consequences for both the victim and the relationship. This type of abuse often leads to financial instability, as victims may lose income, career opportunities, and ultimately, their economic independence. The psychological effects are equally damaging, with victims frequently experiencing anxiety, depression, and a profound sense of helplessness. Economic violence also isolates the victim, cutting them off from social support and essential resources, which makes escaping the abusive relationship even more challenging.
In summary:
Financial instability: Economic violence disrupts the ability to meet expenses, save, or plan for the future, putting the entire household at risk.
Emotional impact: Victims often experience resentment, frustration, and powerlessness, which can erode self-esteem and confidence.
Economic dependency: When one partner becomes financially dependent on the other, it creates a power imbalance that strains the relationship and erodes trust.
Career disruption: Abruptly quitting a job due to economic coercion can harm the victim’s career, leaving gaps in employment and diminishing professional skills, which hinders future job prospects.
Relationship deterioration: Economic violence undermines trust and mutual respect, often leading to arguments, resentment, and the eventual breakdown of the relationship.
Concluding reflections at NITE TANZARN IntellectNest
At NITE TANZARN IntellectNest, let us stand together, raise our voices, and amplify the dialogue surrounding intimate partner violence and economic abuse to create a more inclusive and supportive society for all. Knowledge is the first step towards change. By understanding the various forms of abuse, we can combat them effectively and support those affected. Together, we can break the cycle of economic violence and make a real difference.
Addressing economic violence in intimate partner violence requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses both immediate needs and long-term prevention. Here are key strategies:
Legal protections and enforcement
Enact laws that explicitly recognise economic violence as a form of IPV. This includes ensuring that financial abuse is punishable under domestic violence legislation.
Provide accessible legal support to victims, enabling them to pursue justice, secure financial independence, and protect their assets.
Advocacy and policy change
Push for policy changes that address the root causes of economic violence, such as gender inequality, and promote women's economic empowerment.
Collaborate with governments, NGOs, and private sectors to create a comprehensive strategy to combat economic violence within the broader framework of IPV prevention.
Encouraging social change
Address societal norms that contribute to gender-based economic violence by promoting gender equality and challenging traditional gender roles.
Encourage the formation of support networks for survivors, where they can share experiences, offer mutual support, and advocate for change together.
@nite tanzarn these are such horrific case studies, it boggles the mind why one would treat a partner like that!
It begs the question, why do perfectly intelligent, capable women not walk away? Especially if they do have those financial skills? No doubt you'll be looking into that so I'm really looking forward to the next installment!
Denial of access to land is a very common form of economic violence against women. The women farm the land but because they do not own it, their husbands control the produce and sell it off and go and spend the money on other women. If the wives complain, their husbands beat them.
Thank you for this informative article. I hope many young people get to read it
I have first-hand experience of controlling behaviour. My dad bought me a car on my 18th birthday. my boyfriend controlled it and most people thought it was his. the worst part is that he used to give lifts to girls
It was as if I was reading my life story...I have experienced most of the types of economic violence that you mentioned in the article.