The realm of domestic abuse, be it physical or emotional, is expansive and getting even broader. In January 2024, New Jersey’s Governor Phil Murphy added coercive control to the definition of domestic abuse, prompting citizens to question what it means and what is involved. Coercive control is a form of abuse that aims to destabilize an individual by removing them from their support groups and their independence. One method of doing this is to take away financial stability through a variety of means known as financial abuse, which we will be discussing today.
Key Takeaways
- Financial abuse is a form of coercive control that limits a victim’s ability to earn, save, and manage their finances, making them financially dependent on the abuser.
- Common signs of financial abuse include controlling or spending the victim’s money, interfering with their finances, and sabotaging their employment to maintain dominance.
- Abusers may ruin the victim’s credit history by opening accounts in their name, maxing out credit cards, or failing to pay bills, making it difficult for the victim to regain financial independence.
- Employment sabotage is another tactic, where the abuser prevents the victim from working or harasses them at work, leading to job loss and increased dependency.
- Seeking help is crucial when experiencing financial abuse, as it typically escalates over time. Legal advocates can provide guidance on creating a safety plan and pursuing legal action, such as obtaining a restraining order or filing for divorce.
What is Financial Abuse?
What is Financial Abuse?
Financial abuse occurs when an abuser controls the victim’s ability to earn, save, use, and maintain their finances. In some cases, the victim may be barred from working, or the abuser will try to control how the money earned is spent. Financial abuse is built on the fact that many people in abusive relationships get stuck because they worry about providing for themselves and their children or family should they leave. In fact, financial insecurity is one of the main reasons people stay with an abusive partner.
As mentioned earlier, financial abuse is often part of a larger scheme of domestic abuse, ranging from verbal to emotional abuse. The presence of financial abuse does not always mean that the abuser is physically abusive, but if there are other forms of abuse happening, the situation can potentially get worse.
The Signs of Financial Abuse
A sign of financial abuse is isolation, which is also a tactic used with coercive control. By isolating you from your independence and financial security, you become dependent on someone else to provide. Here are some ways that may happen:
Controlling or Spending Money
An abuser may control all the finances in the relationship, limiting your access to money and dictating how it’s spent. This can include withholding money for basic needs, making you beg for funds, or using your money without permission. The goal is to make you financially dependent, with no means to escape the situation.
Interfering with Finances
Abusers may interfere with your ability to manage your finances by sabotaging your employment, making unauthorized financial decisions, or preventing you from accessing bank accounts. This can include actions like hiding your debit or credit cards, changing passwords, or creating barriers to prevent you from earning an income, all to maintain control over your financial independence.
Feeling Entitled to Your Money
Abusers often feel entitled to your earnings, demanding access to your income or making financial decisions on your behalf without your consent. They may expect you to hand over your paycheck, use your money for their own needs, or insist on making all financial decisions, leaving you with little or no control over your financial well-being.
Ruining Your Credit History
An abuser might intentionally damage your credit history by opening credit accounts in your name, maxing out credit cards, or failing to pay bills on time. This tactic not only destroys your credit score but also leaves you financially vulnerable and less able to gain financial independence in the future.
Controlling Shared Assets and Resources
In a relationship where assets and resources are shared, an abuser may take control of joint accounts, property, and other resources, leaving you with little say in financial matters. They might refuse to share information about the finances, make unilateral decisions about shared assets, or use these resources as leverage to keep you in the relationship.
Employment Sabotage
Another method to prevent you from having access to money is to forbid you from work—or figure out a way to keep you from going. Abusers may harass you at work with emails and text messages. They may call around the clock. Sometimes abusers will become physically abusive so that the victim has to go into work in pain and distracted. The victim will eventually feel overwhelmed and quit their job.
What to Do When You Are Experiencing Financial Abuse
What to Do When You Are Experiencing Financial Abuse
If you suspect that you or a loved one is a victim of financial abuse or coercive control, it is important to contact an advocate, counselor, or lawyer right away. Financial abuse—or any kind of abuse—will not get better; it will only escalate. It is also recommended that you put together a safety plan, one that enables the victim of abuse to escape from the situation without worrying about their financial stability or future. To receive help with this, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 to speak with a trained professional.
A legal advocate can also help by not only reviewing laws and legislation in New Jersey to help protect the victim of abuse but to draft up a restraining order, if necessary. Should you be married to your abuser, the lawyer may also advise how to go through with a divorce.
Contact a NJ Family Law Attorney Today to Learn More
Financial abuse is a lesser known but equally pernicious form of domestic abuse that happens throughout the nation and in New Jersey. If you or someone you know is experiencing this kind of abuse, don’t wait to start working towards freedom. It will be difficult, but it is worth it to pursue separation from the abuser. Start by contacting an experienced lawyer in NJ, such as those at Ziegler Law Group, LLC. Our lawyers have dealt with domestic abuse cases in the past, and we are certain we can provide you the support you need to get out of this situation. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 973-533-1100.
