Uniting changemakers at the Global Summit on Economic Abuse

A blog by co-founders Nicola Sharp-Jeffs and Rebecca Glenn

Research in the U.K. shows that 95% of domestic abuse victim-survivors have experienced economic abuse. The figure in the U.S. is 99%. Given these statistics, it is shocking that economic abuse remains one of the most under-recognised forms of coercive control.

Women’s economic inequality is baked into society. As such, economic control by men largely goes unnoticed – hidden in plan sight. With women still expected to be the primary caregiver, their absence from the workforce rarely attracts attention. The idea that it is a man’s responsibility to be the ‘breadwinner’ largely goes unchallenged.

Women may not even recognise that their partner is exerting control over them – until it is too late. This behaviour may be introduced as caring – you don’t need to work, I can look after you and the children – or – you’re so busy, why I don’t take care of the finances? It also plays into gender stereotypes – how can you be a good mother if you work?

At the same time, we are increasingly seeing women who are out working being expected to take sole responsibility for the economic wellbeing of the family. They are not dependent on their partner, but his behaviour determines how she spends her money and plans the use of her economic resources. Often, she and the children go without and/or get into debt to fund the lifestyle he insists on having.

Of course, this behaviour looks different in different countries – it adapts to cultural contexts. But the control remains the same – whether that is through restricting access to money and the things it can buy, exploiting the economic resources of another – including their credit, or sabotaging employment, property and credit ratings.

To address this, we are uniting changemakers across the world. The inaugural Global Summit on Economic Abuse  on 18 November 2025 will bring together stakeholders from across society to explore how we raise awareness of economic abuse, share what is being done to tackle it, and most importantly, what can be done to prevent it.

Don’t miss this free and virtual event!