About

Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, or human trafficking commonly face challenges in achieving economic security and independence. In addition to needing safety, legal support, housing, and the physical, emotional care for themselves and their families, many survivors have experienced economic abuse in which a perpetrator controlled a survivor’s ability to acquire, use, and maintain resources, inhibiting the survivor’s economic security and opportunities for self-sufficiency. This may include economic control, in which a perpetrator prevents the survivor from accessing or knowing about shared finances. Another form of economic abuse is employment sabotage, when a perpetrator prevents a victim from obtaining or maintaining employment or education. Economic coercion occurs when a perpetrator intentionally tries to destroy a survivor’s credit or existing resources. As a result of economic abuse and other controlling behaviors inherent in these crimes, survivors seeking economic stability and growth may lack employment experience, have limited savings, and suffer from damaged credit.