Financial Abuse
& Economic Control
Signs of financial abuse, Surviving Economic Abuse, the Banking Protocol, Universal Credit, benefits, workplace rights, and the path to financial independence.
What is financial abuse?
Financial Support Guide for Domestic Abuse Survivors
The full NAAVoices guide covers UK grants, benefits, legal financial protection, emergency funds, and practical steps to financial independence after leaving abuse.
Financial abuse is a form of coercive control that involves controlling your ability to acquire, use, and maintain financial resources. It is recognised as a form of domestic abuse under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
Financial abuse creates dependency and makes it extremely difficult to leave an abusive relationship. It is often used deliberately to trap victims — leaving them without the resources to establish independence. Recovery is possible, and there is practical support available.
Signs of financial abuse
Financial control
- Taking your wages, benefits, or other income
- Controlling all household finances and giving you an “allowance”
- Refusing to give you access to bank accounts
- Making you account for every penny spent
- Putting all bills and credit in your name while they control spending
- Taking out loans or credit cards in your name without your knowledge or consent
Work & employment abuse
- Preventing you from working or attending job interviews
- Sabotaging your employment — causing you to be late, argue at work, or lose your job
- Undermining your qualifications or career
- Isolating you from professional contacts
- Refusing to pay for childcare so you can work
- Running up debt in your name to damage your credit rating
Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA)
The UK’s leading charity on financial abuse
Surviving Economic Abuse is the only UK charity dedicated to raising awareness of economic abuse and supporting those who have experienced it. They provide specialist advice on financial recovery, debt, and economic independence.
How SEA can help
- Specialist advice on economic abuse and financial recovery
- Guidance on dealing with debt accrued through coercive financial control
- Information on benefits, housing, and financial support for survivors
- Training for financial professionals on identifying and supporting victims
- Research and policy work to improve responses to economic abuse
The Banking Protocol
The Banking Protocol is a scheme agreed between banks and police to provide immediate help to customers who are being coerced into withdrawing money or taking out financial products. Bank staff are trained to identify signs of financial abuse and coercion.
- If you visit a bank and are being coerced, staff can call police directly
- You can ask a bank to put safeguards on your account
- Many banks have dedicated domestic abuse policies — ask to speak to a specialist
- You can open a new account in your name only — banks must help survivors do this
- Coerced debt (debt taken out under duress) may be challenged — seek specialist advice
Benefits, housing & financial support
Universal Credit & benefits
- You can claim Universal Credit independently — you do not need the abuser’s consent
- If you are in a joint claim, you can request a separate payment
- DWP can be notified of domestic abuse — this can affect how your claim is handled
- Citizens Advice can help you identify what benefits you’re entitled to
- MoneyHelper — free, impartial financial guidance
Housing options
- You can apply to your local authority as homeless — DA is a priority need
- Refuge provides emergency safe accommodation — call 0808 2000 247
- You may be entitled to stay in the family home — seek legal advice about an Occupation Order
- Sanctuary Scheme — security improvements to help you stay safely in your home
- Private rented sector — many councils have schemes to help DA survivors access private housing
Dealing with debt
- Coerced debt may be challenged — contact SEA for specialist advice
- Many creditors have domestic abuse policies — contact them directly
- StepChange — free debt advice charity
- National Debt Line — free, confidential debt advice
- Credit reference agencies can be notified of financial abuse — ask for a notice of disassociation
Workplace rights
Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, employers have a duty to support employees experiencing domestic abuse. 75% of DA victims are targeted at work.
What you’re entitled to
- Time off for medical appointments, court, and housing
- Flexible working arrangements
- Changes to contact details and security measures at work
- Protection from discrimination
- Confidentiality (unless risk to others)
- Paid or unpaid leave options depending on your employer’s policy
What your employer should do
- Have a Domestic Abuse Workplace Policy
- Ensure HR and managers are trained to recognise and respond
- Provide access to an Employee Assistance Programme
- Support safety planning at and around work
- Not dismiss you or take disciplinary action because of DA-related absences
Employer & employee resources
From the Founder
From the Founder
Personal writing from Amy Royle — survival, recovery, neurodiversity, parenting through trauma, advocacy, and the journey that built NAAVoices.
All resources by NAAVoices.com — ⚖ DA & Neurodiversity — Understanding the Risks, Barriers & Support ⚠ Police Misconduct & Victim BlamingYour Pain, Your Voice, Your Life Matters — NAAVoices