Economic abuse soars in lockdown with 1.6 million more people losing control of their money
Women under the age of 35 most at risk, according to research from The Co-op and Refuge
Almost two million adults lost control of their finances to an abusive partner during coronavirus, new research shows.
Charities are warning that the pandemic and subsequent recession have created prime conditions for economic abuse to proliferate and are calling on banks and the Government to do more to support victims.
Prior to the outbreak approximately 8.7 million people – a sixth of all adults – admitted to being a victim of economic abuse, according to research by The Co-operative Bank and Refuge, the charity. It can take many forms but often involves someone else taking control of your income or spending or racking up debts in your name.
The research found that since March a further 1.6 million people are having their finances controlled by someone else. The increase was sharpest among women under the age of 35.
For more than a third (35pc) of those who first experienced economic abuse during lockdown, their partner became abusive when their income dropped as a result of the pandemic.
Elderly people, many of whom have had to rely on others to do their shopping or for help with online banking, have been affected too.
Dr Nicola Sharp-Jeffs of Surviving Economic Abuse, a charity, said that measures to curb Covid-19 had created the perfect breeding ground for this type of abuse.
The current recession, coupled with rising unemployment as the furlough scheme comes to an end, could hand abusers even more opportunities to control their victim’s finances, The Co-operative Bank and Refuge warned.
Refuge’s Lisa King said: “We are greatly concerned that such a low percentage of people recognise the signs of economic abuse, meaning there are people who simply don’t realise it is happening to them.” Their report found that, while one in six adults openly admitted to being victims of economic abuse, when presented with a list of abusive behaviours nearly two in five (39pc) said they had suffered from them.
In some cases it takes years and thousands of pounds of debts to be racked up in a victim’s name for them to realise they have been abused. Sometimes the perpetrator blocks them from accessing joint bank accounts, so that when they do become aware they cannot get together the money to run away.
Maria Cearns of The Co-operative Bank said: "Substantive action from banks, government and other duty bearers has never been more pressing to ensure individuals receive the help they require when facing or recovering from the long-lasting ramifications of abuse."
Both The Co-up and Refuge called on the banking industry to do more to support people who owed money because of an abuser and on the Government to offer benefits in advance for people fleeing controlling partners.
Last year The Telegraph broke the news that economic abuse was to be legally recognised as a form of domestic abuse for the first time. This is to be part of the new Domestic Abuse, which is currently going through Parliament.
A government spokesman said: “We are ensuring support for victims of abuse continues despite the coronavirus pandemic, including providing £2m in funding to ensure that helplines and online services continue to be easily accessible. Split payments and urgent payments are available for Universal Credit claimants who need them.”
A spokesman for UK Finance, the banking trade body, said the industry was committed to ensuring vulnerable customers were treated fairly. She added that it would be considering the proposals in the report to see how banks could better help victims.
Have you been a victim of economic abuse? Get in touch with The Telegraph by emailing marianna.hunt@telegraph.co.uk. All information will be kept anonymous