Why More Discussion Is Needed On Economic Abuse

[img_assist|nid=76129|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=77|height=100]In the movie, "Baby Boy," Jody and his "baby momma" Yvette are seen bickering over Jody's over-use of her vehicle.  Though Jody often offers husband-like companionship to Yvette by taking her to work, he tends to take advantage of the freedom afforded him.  This is because he not only takes Yvette's car keys without her permission; he is also seen throughout the movie running a host of miscellaneous errands in her vehicle.  These miscellaneous errands includes "boosting"--or selling stolen merchandise--in her car, going to see his "other baby momma," Peanut; and driving his friends around in her vehicle.

While the premise of this movie is fictional, it does allude to a huge problem that affects many involved in dysfunctional, romantic relationships.  Economic abuse, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, is when an abusive individual forcibly controls their victim's finances, preventing them from accessing resources, working, or maintaining control of their earnings.  This, in turn, can diminish their ability to achieve self-sufficiency and eventually gain financial independence (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence). 

Despite limited discussion on this issue, there are a host of women who have fallen victim to this form of abuse.  For instance, ¼ to ½ of domestic violence victims report that they have lost a job due to domestic violence (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence).  This, along with domestic violence resulting in the loss of $3 to $5 billion lost annually due to absenteeism, decreased productivity, and health and safety costs, demonstrates a firm connection between economic loss and domestic abuse.  Studies also show that women of color—specifically African American women, are more likely to be involved in abusive situations—including economic abuse. For these reasons and more, it is obvious that more discussion is needed on economic abuse.

This is particularly reiterated by Robyn, a participant in the Center for Social Development's study entitled, "Domestic Violence, Economic Abuse, and Implications of a Program for Building Economic Resources for Low-Income Women.”  She contends: 

...I think [economic abuse] play[s] a much bigger role than people think...because all you hear about is...sexual, physical, [and] emotional abuse.  You never hear about economic abuse.  And economic abuse is just as big as the other forms of abuse, because like my ex-husband, he took money from me.  He made it to where none of the bills were getting paid, but...I had to rely on him to pay them.  And it's just like...I felt like i was on a rollercoaster ride with finances [because of him] (35).

Robyn’s contention not only discusses her personal struggle with economic abuse, but also demonstrates how more information is needed on this topic.  By also discussing how her husband, “Took money from her,” Robyn also alludes to another key characteristic of an economic abuser:  literally stealing from their victim, as well as in defrauding them of their money and/or assets --much like Jody is seen treating Yvette in the movie "Baby Boy."

Though Robyn is an average citizen [and hence, not a theorist], her comments on economic abuse are still relevant because she—like so many women—have testimonial merit that legitimizes the existence of this problematic form of abuse.  In fact, it is testimonies like Robyn’s that paints a realistic picture of the victims involved in economic abuse.  Robyn reiterates the notion that this form of abuse is rarely discussed, yet by discussing it, she is providing the fuel needed to empower other women to share their stories of hardship and abuse.  She continues: 

“…I don’t think very many people realize [that economic abuse exist], because [they] don’t hear about that form of abuse….There needs to be support programs for that form of abuse, too…because people can be economically abused and not realize that that’s actually occurring…”

In order to empower all involved in domestically dysfunctional relationships, it is imperative that more information is accessibly available to everyone.  Yet the only way that this empowerment can occur is if this information is more accessible at all fronts—to all the masses.

References:
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence website.  “Economic Abuse” (http://www.ncadv.org/files/EconomicAbuse.pdf) 

Sandeers, Cynthia K. Ph.D.  “Domestic Abuse, and Implications of a Program for Building Economic Resources for Low-Income Women.”  Center for Social Development, George Warren Brown School of Social Work.  Washington University in St. Louis:  April 2007.