Understanding economic abuse: how the law recognises financial control in relationships

New figures show 1 in 5 young men don’t see controlling spending as abuse. This finding from recent Government-commissioned research into public attitudes towards domestic abuse points to a wider problem: economic abuse is often invisible, even to the people living through it.

In this blog, our domestic abuse solicitors explain what the law actually says about economic abuse.

Why this statistic matters

This survey asked people about different forms of controlling behaviour, focusing on restricting someone’s spending, monitoring their bank accounts, creating debt in their name, and preventing them from working. Younger respondents, particularly young men, were less likely than older age groups to identify these behaviours as abusive.

That gap matters because economic abuse is rarely recognised and labelled as such. Financial control builds gradually, often starting as a seemingly helpful “let me manage the accounts”, to a joint credit card that only one person in the relationship controls. By the time it’s obvious (either to the victim or a concerned loved one), it can feel overwhelming, and like it’s gone too far to unpick. Often, people being financially abused can feel embarrassed and are reluctant to seek professional advice.

Economic abuse is legally defined as domestic abuse

Section 1 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 sets out four categories of abusive behaviour:

• Economic abuse
• Physical or sexual abuse
• Controlling or coercive control
• Psychological or emotional abuse

Financial abuse also sits alongside the separate criminal offence of controlling or coercive behaviour under Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015, which can carry a prison sentence of up to five years. Economic control is one of the clearest indicators courts and police now look for when assessing whether that offence has been committed.

What financial abuse looks like in practice

Economic abuse can include:

• Restricting access to bank accounts or income
• Running up debt in someone else’s name without consent
• Controlling how household money is spent, down to small purchases; this includes having to explain why purchases were made or need to be made
• Preventing someone from working or sabotaging their employment
• Withholding money for essentials like food, heating, or medication

What legal protection is available for economic abuse?

If financial abuse is happening, there are routes to address it and prevent it from continuing. These routes do not depend on the other person agreeing there’s a problem, which people often presume is a barrier to stopping the behaviour.

Economic abuse can be stopped and prevented through the following legal routes:

• Non-Molestation Orders can legally prohibit someone from abusive behaviour, including financial control. Breaching a Non-Molestation Order is a criminal offence.
• Occupation Orders are obtained from the court and state who can or cannot live in, visit or enter a particular home or area.
• Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) can impose specific conditions, including around financial matters. They are only available in certain areas of England and Wales, and the victim and perpetrator must be personally connected, e.g. in a romantic relationship or related. These orders may be introduced to the rest of England and Wales upon successful conclusion of the trial.
• Reporting to the Police is also an option and is particularly important if you are in immediate danger.

Why financial abuse matters in divorce and separation

Economic abuse doesn’t always stop when a relationship ends. In fact, economic abuse sometimes becomes more apparent during financial proceedings.

Patterns of financial conduct, hidden assets or debt can be relevant to how the Family Court divides finances during divorce. It can affect financial disclosure, how debt is treated and, in some cases, the overall financial settlement.

An experienced divorce and separation lawyer can help identify where economic abuse should be raised as part of financial proceedings and can support you with disclosure orders where an ex-partner is withholding financial information.

What to do if this sounds familiar

Recognising economic abuse, in your own relationship or someone else’s, is often the hardest part. It’s common for financial abuse to have been normalised over months or years, and, as this survey suggests, that’s especially true for younger people who may not have the life experience or even the vocabulary for what they’re experiencing.

If you think you’re being financially abused or controlled, here’s what you can do:

1. Keep records where it’s safe to do so. Bank statements, messages about money, and anything showing a pattern of control.
2. Speak to a solicitor who specialises in domestic abuse confidentially. This can help you understand your options and provide reassurance and validation that what you’re experiencing is not right.
3. Know that support is available regardless of whether you involve the Police. Legal protection doesn’t require a criminal process.

If any of this reflects your situation, a confidential conversation with our Domestic Abuse team is a good first step, whether you’re considering separation, currently going through it, or simply want to understand where you stand.

Contact our domestic abuse solicitors

Our domestic abuse lawyers work with people across the UK from our offices in Bristol and the surrounding area. We provide advice and support throughout the process and ensure that you are aware of all the legal options.

For a confidential chat, call 0117 325 2929 or fill out our online form, and we will be in touch.