Victims of domestic violence in Washington are frequently victims of financial abuse at the same time. Controlling the finances is an effective way for an abuser to maintain control over their victim. In fact, a lack of financial independence is often the main reason why domestic violence victims think that they can’t leave their abuser.
Controlling finances
If you are in a situation where you have no control over money, you may be a victim of financial abuse. Abusers often take their victim’s paychecks and make all of the household’s financial decisions. A victim of financial abuse may be completely in the dark about how much money they have or how much debt they are in.
Sabotaging opportunities
Another way that abusive partners control their significant other’s finances is by sabotaging financial opportunities. You may have been offered a job or an opportunity to take a skills training course, but your abusive partner wouldn’t allow it. In some cases, abusive partners can ruin their victim’s good credit history by bullying them into taking on debt.
Becoming financially independent
It’s crucial that you think about financial independence if you are planning to leave your abusive partner. The more dependent you are on your abuser, the harder it will be to leave them. However, people who are completely broke and unable to earn their own money can also find help escaping from domestic violence situations.
Preparing to leave
If you’re able to do so safely, it’s a good idea to start collecting financial resources for yourself so that you can leave your abusive partner more easily. Getting a job or a side gig and opening up a new bank account are a couple steps you can take. It may also be a good idea to change passwords on your existing financial accounts and safeguard all of your important documents.
