Research from 2008 by Family Action and Gingerbread revealed for the first time how domestic violence can push women into severe debt and hardship, and called on the Government to provide greater financial assistance to help survivors to recover financially.
The report, titled The Financial Impact of Domestic Violence, is based on interviews with women who have experienced violence, and reveals the extent to which physical violence is often accompanied by financial abuse. Women in violent relationships are often forced to take out loans in their own name on behalf of their partner, and when they leave the relationship, are left with significant debts.
Women who left violent relationships also suffered significant hardship when they had to leave belongings behind. And many women had been forced to leave paid work because of their partner’s abuse.
"“Domestic violence not only damages women physically and emotionally but often leaves them facing significant debt and hardship. Despite the Government’s focus on the criminal justice aspects of domestic violence, little has been done to help women rebuild their lives and get their financial situation back on track. Resettlement grants and economic empowerment programmes could make a real difference to some of the most vulnerable families, who have been literally forced into debt.”
- report co-author Claire Kober
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