Charity leaders call global economic abuse summit

The first Global Summit on Economic Abuse was held on 18th November uniting charity and business leaders together online to protect survivors.

The Summit was opened by Spice Girl and international charity campaigner 'Mel B' Melanie Brown MBE and included a wide range of expert participants.

In light of the 1.4 billion women living in counties with no legal recognition or protection for economic abuse, the International Coalition Against Domestic Abuse and NO MORE partnered to host the inaugural Global Summit on Economic Abuse.

Held on the 18th November 2025, the Summit brought together changemakers from around the world - specialist NGOs, financial institutions, debt and money advice services, advocates, researchers, survivors, lawyers, practitioners, and policymakers - for a powerful day of action and insight. They explored what can be done at both the systemic and societal levels to support those experiencing domestic abuse and to prevent economic abuse from happening.

Abusers use tactics like closely regulating their partner’s spending, taking their earnings, preventing them from working, accumulating debt in their name, and more. Victims often have trouble leaving the abuser due to the lack of economic resources or the fear of being unable to support themselves and their families. Survivors of economic abuse often face debt, poor credit and lasting financial instability, and one in ten ends up homeless.

Hosted online for global accessibility and generously sponsored by Commonwealth Bank, Lloyds Banking Group, and Norton Rose Fulbright, the Summit highlighted best practice responses, including cross-sector collaborations aimed at addressing one of the most pervasive yet often overlooked forms of abuse.

In her introductory remarks, Spice Girl and international charity campaigner 'Mel B' Melanie Brown MBE said:

“Economic abuse is often ignored, it doesn’t leave bruises and can be hard to prove. However, it is one of the main reasons many survivors return to their abuser, and that is why this Summit is so important.”

The wide range of speakers included: Kalliopi Mingeirou, Chief of the Ending Violence against Women Section, UN Women; Micaela Cronin, Australia’s inaugural Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner; Dame Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales; Ryan Burke, Global Lead of the Empower Finance initiative led by the International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group; and Kirsty Leivers, Global Head of Culture, Inclusion and Diversity, AXA.

Nicola Sharp-Jeffs, co-founder of the International Coalition Against Economic Abuse, said:

“For too long, economic abuse has gone unseen. This global Summit - the first of its kind - shines a light on economic abuse and brings together stakeholders from across the world determined to end it."

Pamela Zaballa, Chief Executive of NO MORE, said:

“Economic abuse is one of the most overlooked forms of abuse, but it leaves devastating and lasting impacts on victims, their families, and their communities. By sharing insights, resources, best practices, and prevention tools, we can educate, engage, and unite the global community to take meaningful steps toward ending economic abuse.”

At the Summit:

Kalliopi Mingeirou, Chief of the Ending Violence against Women Section, UN Women, said:

“Please count on UN Women to be allies in this international coalition on economic abuse. It’s such an important area of work and aligns very much with our strategic priorities and our work around the world.”

Micaela Cronin, Australia’s inaugural Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner, said:

“Economic abuse has far-reaching and long-term impacts that undermine safety, security, and recovery for victim-survivors. People with lived experience have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of this issue and advocate for change. The Global Summit on Economic Abuse provided an important opportunity to deepen our collective understanding of this issue, elevate voices of lived experience, and share practical solutions. I thank the International Coalition Against Economic Abuse for convening this event. Through coordinated action across the public and private sectors, we can ensure that systems are designed with safety in mind and that people impacted by economic abuse receive the support they need to recover.”