UK's Hidden Crisis: 4 Million Children Affected by Economic Abuse
A staggering four million children in the UK are living with the devastating effects of economic abuse, according to research from charity Surviving Economic Abuse. The alarming figure reveals that nearly a third of mothers with children under 18 have experienced control over their family's finances, leaving many young lives severely impacted.
Perpetrators employ various tactics, including restricting access to bank accounts and child benefits, and consistently failing to pay child maintenance. This crippling lack of financial support results in essential items such as clothing and food being denied to the children. A staggering third of mothers who have suffered economic abuse by a former partner report that their ex-partner refused or failed to pay child support, exacerbating an already dire situation.
The full extent of the harm caused by economic abuse was laid bare when one mother recounted her experience: "My ex would stop maintenance payments right before Christmas." The devastating impact on families cannot be overstated, with children as young as adults struggling to cope with the absence of financial stability.
Sam Smethers, CEO of Surviving Economic Abuse, warned that economic abuse is a particularly insidious form of coercive control. "Economic abuse is a dangerous form of coercive control and children are being harmed by it every day." The charity is urging the government to publish its long-awaited Violence Against Women and Girls strategy and take concrete action to address this pervasive issue.
One key priority must be closing loopholes in systems like child maintenance, which allows abusers to manipulate financial support for their own gain. The charity's research highlights that mothers are three times more likely to experience economic abuse than women without children, making it essential that policymakers prioritize the protection of all families.
Government minister Jess Phillips has acknowledged the need to tackle economic abuse, stating that it will be integral to reducing violence against women and girls. With four million children already affected by this crisis, the government must take immediate action to address this systemic injustice and provide a safer, more secure environment for families to thrive.
A staggering four million children in the UK are living with the devastating effects of economic abuse, according to research from charity Surviving Economic Abuse. The alarming figure reveals that nearly a third of mothers with children under 18 have experienced control over their family's finances, leaving many young lives severely impacted.
Perpetrators employ various tactics, including restricting access to bank accounts and child benefits, and consistently failing to pay child maintenance. This crippling lack of financial support results in essential items such as clothing and food being denied to the children. A staggering third of mothers who have suffered economic abuse by a former partner report that their ex-partner refused or failed to pay child support, exacerbating an already dire situation.
The full extent of the harm caused by economic abuse was laid bare when one mother recounted her experience: "My ex would stop maintenance payments right before Christmas." The devastating impact on families cannot be overstated, with children as young as adults struggling to cope with the absence of financial stability.
Sam Smethers, CEO of Surviving Economic Abuse, warned that economic abuse is a particularly insidious form of coercive control. "Economic abuse is a dangerous form of coercive control and children are being harmed by it every day." The charity is urging the government to publish its long-awaited Violence Against Women and Girls strategy and take concrete action to address this pervasive issue.
One key priority must be closing loopholes in systems like child maintenance, which allows abusers to manipulate financial support for their own gain. The charity's research highlights that mothers are three times more likely to experience economic abuse than women without children, making it essential that policymakers prioritize the protection of all families.
Government minister Jess Phillips has acknowledged the need to tackle economic abuse, stating that it will be integral to reducing violence against women and girls. With four million children already affected by this crisis, the government must take immediate action to address this systemic injustice and provide a safer, more secure environment for families to thrive.
like how can u control everythin they need just 4 money? its not right the gov should do somethin ASAP 2 prevent this from happenin 2 other families who might be in a similar situation
it's like, how can we just sit back & watch this happen? economic abuse is like the ultimate silent killer - it's not even on most people's radar 
. I mean, what's the gov doing about it?! They need to step up & close those loopholes ASAP 
. And what about all the moms who are just trying to survive without any help? It's mental 
. We need concrete action NOW not some pie-in-the-sky strategy that'll never see the light of day 
. Can we please just get this sorted out already?! 
. i think the government needs to step up and make changes ASAP, like closing those loopholes in child maintenance systems so abusers can't exploit the system for their own gain. we gotta protect our families, you know? 
. what do u think is the most effective way to tackle economic abuse, especially when it comes to cases involving children? should it be more support groups for victims or stricter laws for perpetrators? 
... idk how ppl can just control everything, including bank accounts & child benefits, like what even is that? 
... we need to raise awareness about this so more people know its happening & the gov can do something about it 
... its not just mothers with kids under 18 either, its all families affected 
.
I'm so worried about these 4 million kids in the UK who are going through this. It's like, what kind of world are we living in where parents can just control their kids' finances like that? 
