When you hear "violence," you might picture fights or visible injuries. But there's a sneaky kind called economic violence that doesn’t leave bruises yet impacts loads of people globally.
The European Institute for Gender Equality defines economic violence as "Any act or behaviour which causes economic harm to an individual. Economic violence can take the form of, for example, property damage, restricting access to financial resources, education or the labour market, or not complying with economic responsibilities, such as alimony".
So, what’s this all about? Why should you care? And how can you tell if it’s happening to you or someone you know? Can therapy really help anyone stuck in this mess? Let’s dive into it..
What is Economic Violence?
It's when one person takes control over another’s money matters. This could mean:
- Keeping someone from their own money
- Making someone totally dependent on them financially
- Blocking access to essential money resources
- Using money to push someone around
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It’s tricky to spot because there are no obvious scars. But realizing that messing with someone’s money is actually a form of abuse is super important.
What are the causes of economic violence?
A bunch of reasons. Mostly, it boils down to one person wanting to hold all the power through money.
When people are struggling with job loss, low pay, or not getting promoted, the stress can crank up the risk of economic violence.
It's a messy mix of personal and cultural issues that feed into this problem.
This problem often arises in couples and revolves around power struggles, where one person tries to keep the upper hand by controlling the money. This isn't a new thing, and it taps into some pretty old-school gender roles.
Historically, women have often found themselves on the losing end because they didn't have as much financial power or access as men.
Speaking of old-school, thinking of guys as the main breadwinners has sometimes made it seem okay for them to control the finances, even when it harms their partners.
It’s not just an issue among couples; it's a bigger problem across cultures. When there’s a general acceptance that men or specific groups of people should control the finances, or when people aren’t educated enough about managing money, it sets the stage for economic violence to continue.
Spotting the Signs
Economic violence starts off small—maybe a few comments about spending too much or small limits on accessing cash. But these can grow and even mix with other types of abuse.
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These are the "Red Flags" you need to identify to avoid falling into economic violence:
- Controlling finances by limiting the other person's access to money
- Threatening to withdraw financial support
- Preventing someone from accessing employment or education
- Manipulating or threatening another person to take on debts
- Restricting economic resources necessary for basic well-being
- Stealing or using another person's resources without their consent
- Making financial decisions unilaterally
Why Talking Helps
Talking to a therapist is a game-changer for anyone dealing with violence. It’s a safe place to sort through what’s happened, rebuild self-confidence, and figure out healthier ways to handle relationships.
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For those tangled in economic violence, therapy can help untangle feelings of worry, shame, or confusion and boost confidence in making better personal and financial choices.
Wrapping It Up
Economic violence is more common than many think but often goes unnoticed.
Getting the lowdown on why it happens and knowing what to look for can help stop it in its tracks.
Therapy doesn’t just help heal; it gives people the tools to take back control over their lives and money, paving the way for healthier, fairer relationships.
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