4. Financial abuse versus economic abuse

‘Financial abuse’ is the use or misuse of financial resources to exert control over another person, restricting their freedom and dignity. It is often part of a pattern of coercive control characterised by belittling, threatening, intimidating and domineering behaviour.

Although the terms ‘financial abuse’ and ‘economic abuse’ are often used interchangeably, economic abuse has a wider meaning than controlling access to money and finances.

‘Economic abuse’ encompasses controlling behaviour that may restrict a person’s access to:

•education and training;
•employment;
•essential services such as benefits, food and clothing;
•travel – eg, removing or restricting access to their driving licence or passport.

This list is not definitive.