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‘It left me without any money to look after my children’: Survivor speaks out on ‘vicious circle’ of financial abuse

“I had started doing a bit of knitting to earn some extra cash – as soon as he found out, my needles vanished.”

Nottinghamshire mum Jane – not her real name – is one of millions of women who have experienced financial abuse at the hands of a partner.

In 2024, one in seven women in the UK experienced economic abuse from a partner or ex-partner, according to data from the Surviving Economic Abuse charity.

Economic abuse is a legally-recognised form of domestic abuse and often involves a partner controlling finances, making it difficult for someone to live independently.

It includes restricting income, controlling spending, and limiting essentials like transport, technology, food, and clothing – sometimes alongside emotional abuse.

Jane says her ex-partner’s controlling behaviour began when she became pregnant. It would go on to be something that would eventually ‘dominate her life for many years,’ she says.

“He told me I didn’t need to go to work and that I could look after the baby,” she told Notts TV.

“I thought it would be great, but what I didn’t realise was, if I wasn’t earning, I wouldn’t have any money for myself. I’d suddenly started living a very different life and it was extremely restricting”.

Jane recalled how her ex-partner spent freely, while she and the kids wore second-hand clothes. When she tried part-time jobs, he shut it down.

“I felt totally worthless and like a terrible mum,” she added. “Everyone was going out to the park for days out – but it was just the three of us sat at home with nothing or nobody. I didn’t know how I’d ever get out of it”.

Jane left the relationship through support from the Broxtowe Women’s Project charity. She was left with debts and bills, with her ex-partner cutting all financial responsibilities following the split.

“I was left penniless and every day a new bill arrived,” she added.

Sandra Reddish from Broxtowe Women’s Project said financial abuse isn’t always seen as serious as other forms of abuse but can be just as harmful. “Survivors often bin letters knowing they’re bank statements,” she said. “It’s about not wanting to cope.”

Sandra added there are support sources available for financial abuse survivors, including IVA schemes, bankruptcy, and Citizen’s Advice.