The impact of coerced debt
An abuser can use debt as a lever to gain power and control over another person, causing financial instability and dependency on the abuser.
A common indicator that a client is experiencing economic abuse is where all the assets have been placed in the abuser’s name and the debts in the client’s name.
In the short term, the client will have to deal with the stress of this situation and may have little or no opportunity to leave the relationship due to lack of funds. In the long term, it will affect their ability to get credit, save for a deposit to move to a safe place or travel to employment opportunities.