Economic Abuse: A Quiet Violence That Blocks Safety and Stability

Economic abuse, sometimes called financial abuse, is one of the most hidden yet damaging forms of harm. It happens when someone controls, limits, or misuses another person’s money, credit, or financial decisions. It does not leave physical injuries, but the financial and emotional impact can last for years. It can take away stability, confidence, and the freedom to make choices for your own life. 

In Canada, more than 96 percent of women who experience domestic violence also face economic abuse. This shows that financial safety and personal safety are deeply connected. 

Research conducted in Ottawa in 2021 revealed the depth of this issue in the national capital region. Over 96 percent of women who experienced domestic abuse also experienced economic abuse. Ninety percent reported that their perpetrator withheld money needed for food, clothing, and essential needs, demanded receipts for every dollar spent, or removed their ability to make financial decisions. Eighty seven percent had money stolen from their wallets, purses, or bank accounts. Ninety one percent had personal property taken from them. (CCFWE 2021) 

“Economic abuse is a widespread but poorly documented and understood problem that affects a broad cross-section of Canadians – robbing them of their financial independence, burdening them with debt, lowering their credit scores, and stealing their financial resources. Too often, people who have experienced economic abuse struggle to find the help they need to reclaim their financial independence and rebuild their financial stability and health. As part of our broader efforts to ensure all Canadians have access to the financial help and advice they need to build their financial wellbeing, Prosper Canada welcomes the federal government’s commitment to work with financial institutions to establish a voluntary code of conduct to prevent and address economic abuse and we look forward to working with CCFWE and the government to support this effort.”—Elizabeth Mulholland, CEO, Prosper Canada 

Economic abuse can appear in many ways: 

Being denied access to your own bank account 

Pressure to cosign loans 

Fraud or unauthorized accounts opened in your name 

Strict allowance and control over spending 

Romance scams that drain savings and create fear  

These are not financial problems or misunderstandings. They are real signs of abuse and control. 

The Three Forms of Economic Abuse 

Economic abuse is silent, painful, and deeply controlling. It does not leave marks on the skin, but it can take away freedom, confidence, and hope. 

1. Economic Control 

This happens when someone decides how money is used, blocks your access to income, or forces you to ask for every dollar.  This is not care. This is control. 

2. Economic Exploitation 

This happens when your money, credit, or identity is used without your permission. Coerced debt, stolen savings, and fraud are not accidents. They are acts of abuse. 

3. Employment Sabotage 

This happens when someone stops you from working, learning, or earning. Missed shifts, constant interference, and pressure to quit your job are used to take away your independence and your future. 

Coerced Debt- A Silent Financial Trap 

Coerced debt happens when someone forces or manipulates you into taking on debt you did not choose or benefit from. Survivors often discover: 

Loans they never agreed to 

Credit cards they did not open 

Bills and payments tied to an abuser’s spending 

Nearly 6 in 10 survivors in Canada report coerced debt. This can lead to damaged credit, challenges securing housing, and difficulty finding employment. 
 
For many survivors, the financial harm becomes one of the main reasons they feel unable to leave an unsafe relationship. The fear of starting over is real, and the weight of debt can feel impossible to carry alone. 

Fraud and Economic Abuse 

Fraud is one of the most common tools used by abusers. Fraud can include: 

1. Identity theft 

1. Unauthorized online banking or credit use 

1. Cryptocurrency or investment scams 

2. Fake emergencies to pressure you for money 

3. Accessing personal information through phones, emails, or shared devices 
     

Fraud can destroy financial confidence and create long-term harm, but there are ways to protect yourself and respond safely. 

Fraud Prevention Tips for Survivors 

Prosper Canada and CCFWE encourage survivors to take simple steps to protect their financial safety. 

1. Secure your personal information 

Change passwords, PINs, and security questions 

Use two factor authentication 

Log out of shared devices and update recovery emails 

2. Monitor your accounts 

Check online banking often 

Report unfamiliar transactions 

Contact your financial institution if you believe someone has access 

3. Review your credit report 

Look for unknown accounts or inquiries 

Report fraud to Equifax and TransUnion 

Request a fraud alert to prevent new accounts 

4. Be cautious online 

Never send money or gift cards to someone you only know online 

Do not share banking information through text, email, or social media 

Verify requests for money, even from someone you trust 

5. Seek professional support early 

Prosper Canada partners, community financial coaches, and victim services can help with: 

Credit rebuilding 

Fraud prevention 

Budgeting after abuse 

Planning to regain financial independence 

Addressing coerced debt 
  
All services are confidential and survivor centered. 

 
You Are Not Alone 
 
Economic abuse is real, and it affects thousands of people across Canada. But with the right support, survivors can rebuild their financial confidence, restore their credit, and take back their independence. If you are a refugee claimant, join our financial empowerment program, Reclaim and Rise, specifically designed to support refugee survivors of economic abuse.  
 
As Canada recognizes Economic Abuse Awareness Day on November 26, we encourage survivors, service providers, and financial institutions to learn the signs, speak openly, and work together to end economic abuse. 
 
If you need help, reach out. Support exists for you. You deserve safety, stability, and control over your financial future. 
 
Learn more about our mobile app, Support Tool for Economic Abuse Recovery (STEAR), for survivors of economic abuse.  
 
Learn more about safety planning as a survivor of economic abuse.  
 
Learn more about “SHIELD to Thrive," our financial empowerment program, for survivors of economic abuse in Ontario.  
 
 
Learn more about the available resources for survivors of economic abuse.  
 
Learn more about CCFWE’s work here