When creating a bank account as a surprise for her transgender son, Ezra October, to help him save money for surgery, Rayne Ethetton’s husband was notified by the US bank of her upcoming appointment to set up the account. This experience raised concerns for Ethetton as she imagined the risks for others in vulnerable situations.

Ethetton volunteers at a domestic violence shelter, Hope House, and although she is not in an abusive relationship, she is aware of women who are in that situation. Reflecting on the potential impact of a bank’s notification practices, she couldn’t help but fear how women, attempting to start anew, would be affected if their spouse discovered their attempt to open a personal account.

“Safety is a very important thing in our society, and I think maybe training in the banking industry would be really good, especially at this bank,” Ethetton said. She feels strongly that improvements in banking procedures could increase safety for vulnerable clients.

“It made me feel like women are not really taken as seriously as men,” she continued. “I’m not sure if that would have happened to my husband.” Her observation highlights concerns about potential biases in banking practices, which could impact women more significantly.

Ethetton also shared a conversation with her mother-in-law, who remarked, “Oh, honey, it wasn’t very long ago that I actually had to have my husband sign if I wanted a checking account.” This historical context reminded her of the long-standing struggles women have faced for financial autonomy.

“I don’t think a lot of people realize how dangerous it is to navigate our society as women,” Ethetton said, adding, “I don’t think a lot of women realize that a lot of other women have issues that could possibly cause them extreme pain, mortality.” She underlines the reality that many women continue to experience barriers to their financial security.

Expanding beyond banking, survivors of economic abuse may also face challenges in canceling or modifying phone plans with their current provider. In response to this need, the Canadian Centre for Women’s Empowerment (CCFWE) welcomes the government’s announcement to introduce legislative amendments to the Telecommunications Act to prohibit switching fees, simplifying this process for survivors.

In February 2023, CCFWE published a document addressing how Canadian banks can support victims of economic abuse. “Financial institutions can be the first line of defense for victims of domestic violence or human trafficking,” the organization stated. This viewpoint emphasizes the significant role banks can play in identifying and supporting those in abusive situations.

“Often, as people dive into personal details of their finances, financial staff can see the red flags showing that a victim-survivor is in trouble, much like elder abuse,” they continued. Through regular interactions, bank employees might notice signs that point to an individual’s vulnerability.

A CCFWE 2021 study reported that victim-survivors see financial institutions as one of the least helpful service providers. This insight underscores a disconnect that may hinder effective support for those affected by economic abuse.

Donnette Burrows, an insolvency counselor for Sands & Associates, provides practical advice and counseling for clients navigating bankruptcies and consumer proposals. With her extensive banking experience, Burrows notes that lenders or loan officers should be trained to detect signs when someone may be coerced into financial decisions.

In one of her counseling sessions, she noted, “The spouse wasn’t even a part of the actual consumer proposal and he was answering all the questions. I couldn’t see him on the camera, but I thought, should I do a hand signal, something to try and figure out what’s going on?” Burrows’ experience highlights the subtle challenges professionals may face in identifying economic abuse.

In banking situations, Burrows said, the most they can do is allow events to unfold naturally, afterward offering resources if the person is open to them. This limitation points to the need for structured resources within financial institutions.

As a research specialist volunteer for Dress for Success, an organization assisting newcomers to Canada with resources like government support and school funding, Burrows also recommends the non-profit to survivors of economic abuse. Her involvement with the organization provides her a perspective on resource access for vulnerable populations.

Denna Berg, acting director of policy and national task force coordinator for CCFWE, emphasized the importance of designing systems with a sensitivity to varied customer experiences. “Equity needs to be applied for how things are structured, as not everybody who’s using banking services approaches them in the same way,” Berg said. She advocates for banking structures that consider different user needs.

Further underscoring the challenges survivors face, the National Domestic Violence Hotline notes that it typically takes a victim seven attempts to leave before staying away, with financial abuse being a significant obstacle. This reality emphasizes the need for accessible and supportive services to help individuals break free from abusive situations.

“Protecting the rights and well-being of the people who use their services is critical,” Berg added, “especially those who are facing economic abuse.” Her statement calls for a trauma-informed and intersectional approach to financial services for those at risk.

“Economic abuse is something that lasts with people even if they’ve been able to leave the situation,” Berg stated. Acknowledging this lasting impact, she underscores the importance of systems that do not continue to harm survivors even after they leave abusive situations.

Berg said that recognizing economic abuse as a distinct issue is crucial for policy framing and response. She supports awareness campaigns that shed light on tech-facilitated economic abuse and highlight its pervasive impact across society.

Director of research at MediaSmarts, Kara Brisson-Boivin, commented on technology’s advancements, noting that while financial institutions may attempt to protect users, there is no guarantee that a device is free from tracking. This reality demonstrates the difficulties in ensuring digital security for survivors of abuse.

The Canadian government’s Act Respecting Cyber Security, tabled in the House of Commons in 2022, seeks to amend the Telecommunications Act to improve Canadian telecommunications system security. This legislation represents a step toward addressing some of the security concerns highlighted by advocates for survivor protection.

“The second we can say, ‘Yes, we’ve checked your phone, it’s free of malware, spyware, tracking, it’s good,’ but technology evolves, so we can’t ever definitively say this will never happen,” Brisson-Boivin said. For those facing constant surveillance, this uncertainty adds to their sense of fear and anxiety.

The Canadian Women’s Foundation reported that one in five women in Canada experiences online harassment, whether through isolation, stalking, or impersonation. This statistic points to the broader challenges survivors face in navigating digital spaces safely.

Brisson-Boivin said it is impractical to tell survivors to avoid online platforms entirely. Instead, she advocates for digital literacy to empower survivors. This approach emphasizes the need for survivors to feel empowered and supported in using digital tools safely.

“Survivors have every right to be online,” she said, adding that technology companies and social platforms have a role to play in supporting survivors. Her statement underscores the responsibility of the industry to contribute to the safety of vulnerable individuals.

By: Julia Vellucci, CCFWE Social Justice Writer