POST-SEPARATION ECONOMIC ABUSE

UNDERSTANDING COERCIVE CONTROL IN THE CONTEXT OF ECONOMIC ABUSE

What is Post-Separation Coercive Control?

Coercive control encompasses acts of both coercion and control through the use of force and/or deprivation to produce a victim’s obedience, ultimately eliminating their sense of freedom in the relationship, or what is referred to as “entrapment” .

This element of abuse consists of a pattern of strategy and pattern of violent behavior that seeks to take away one’s freedom and independence by stripping their sense of self. The perpetrator of coercive control will create a world in which the other person is constantly monitored, criticized, watched and manipulated. The perpetrator’s every move is unpredictable, ever-changing, and unknowable by the victim, which instils a constant fear that allows the perpetrator to obtain power and coercive control. This includes post-separation economic abuse. It is a deliberate, calculated and psychological abuse that isolates, manipulates and creates fearful obedience that continues even after separating from the abuser.

For those who are in post-separation, abuse can feel like a life sentence and the abuse doesn’t actually stop, therefore, economic abuse is past, present and future. It is known that this type of control can be dangerous to survivors’ well-being post-separation and affects their ability to fully obtain independence from the abuser. Coercive control is a strategic form of ongoing oppression used to instill fear to manipulate individuals and ultimately affect their employment, education, finances, banking, children and well-being. The abuser will use tactics that include limiting access to money, monitoring all communication and using emotional abuse to maintain power and control.

Signs of Coercive Control

There are four common domains of coercive controlling behaviours, which include controlling/proprietary behaviours, psychological abuse, sexual jealousy, and stalking. Perpetrators may make implicit or explicit threats, use physical or sexual violence, destroy the victim’s personal property, and isolate or intimidate the victim by closely monitoring their behaviours and interactions with other people. Coercive control also frequently extends to the economic domain including: denying the victim access to or limiting transportation; denying access to household utilities such as heat and water; controlling food consumption; making the victim request or beg for money; disconnecting phone lines or breaking cellphones; preventing attendance at work or school; or sending inappropriate images or messages to employers to encourage their dismissal Below is a detailed visual of post-separation economic power and control.

The following types of behaviour are common examples of coercive control:

  • Isolating the individual from their friends or family
  • Depriving of them of their basic needs
  • Monitoring a person via online communication tools or using spyware
  • Controlling how much money they have and how they spend it
  • Monitoring their everyday activities and movements
  • Repeatedly putting them down, humiliating them, calling them names, or telling them that they are worthless
  • Threatening to harm or kill them or their children or their pets
  • Threatening to publish information about them or to report them to the police or the authorities
  • Damaging their property or household goods
  • Forcing them to take part in criminal activity or child abuse This list is not exhaustive. Physical violence may be used alongside these other tactics of isolation, mindgames and the micro-regulation of everyday life or it may never be present other than as a threat or perceived.

This list is not exhaustive. Physical violence may be used alongside these other tactics of isolation, mindgames and the micro-regulation of everyday life or it may never be present other than as a threat or perceived

The Post Separation Power and Control Wheel

examines the issues facing women and their children after they leave an abuser; in particular, the ways in which an abuser uses the children to maintain his power and control over one’s former partner.

Violence that is coercive and controlling is the use of different physical or non-physical tactics, more frequently deployed by men against women in the context of intimate partner relationships . This description emphasizes the multidimensionality of oppression that continues to be faced by women and negates the classic understanding that intimate partner violence only consists of evidence of physical violence. Coercive control encompasses acts of both coercion and control through the use of force and/or deprivation to produce a victim’s obedience, ultimately eliminating their sense of freedom in the relationship, or what has been referred to as “entrapment” . 

Developed  by Jenn Glinskii, University of Glasgow (2021). This resource is based on research findings of University of Glasgow PHD candidate Jenn Glinski, who is currently completing her thesis. Illustration design by Tony Mamo. Adaptation of the original Power and Control Wheel Approved by The Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs, www.TheDuluthModel.org

 The on-going fear of abuse from (ex)partner can cause coerced debt by using coercion and threat, harassment and intimidation. This can include forcing the partner to live with the abuser to obtain child support, threatening to stop agreed payments or damaging joint property to incur costs or forcing one to ask family or friends for money. This fear can also cause a damaged credit file by using emotional abuse and (ab)using court processes. Emotional abuse can include criticizing purchases one makes for the children or purposely using court processes and procedures to exhaust the victim’s savings and income. 
An abuser can continue to instil fear post-separation by negatively affecting the victim’s education, employment and banking. Abusers often use the following to maintain economic power and coercive control.

Economic Abuse

Withholding their personal document documents i.e.visas, passports, documents etc., making them pay rent/mortgage for joint residence in which the abuser resides, refusing to assist with coerced debt; blocking access to joint economic resources; interfering with their ability to work/study

Children

making them pay for activities/needs of children during their child contact; spoiling children with expensive gifts to make the other feel inferior; encouraging children to shame the other’s finances; refusing to share basic resources for children; refusing to contribute to additional expense linked to the children

Banking

refusing to negotiate terms of joint financial products; using others’ bank accounts to conceal financial resources; removing all money from joint accounts/savings/children’s savings; continuing to build debt in the other’s name/joint products; Absconding and leaving the other responsible for shared financial products.

Ways to Manipulate Institutions

using ‘loopholes’ in legislation to protect their assets; becoming un/self-employed to avoid spousal support/child support; refusing to pay child support despite having financial resources; concealing/refusing to disclose actual income; tax fraud to avoid financial obligations; falsely reporting the other for benefit fraud.

Coercive control impacts on a victim/survivor’s physical, emotional, psychological, social, sexual & reproductive and financial health and well-being both in the immediate and longer term, continuing even after the relationship has ended. 

Some of the consequences of this include, changing the way they socialize, physically or mentally deteriorating or changing the way they care for their children. 

Children and young people can be direct victims/survivors of coercive control and they can experience it in much the same ways as adults do – feeling confused and afraid, living constrained lives, and being entrapped and harmed by the perpetrator. Coercive control can harm children and young people emotionally/psychologically, physically, socially and educationally.

In some cases, the psychological and social consequences are of equal significance to the physical effects and all are interconnected. The direct physical effects include injuries such as bruises, cuts, broken bones, lost teeth and hair, complications in pregnancy, including miscarriage and stillbirth, sexually transmitted diseases and tiredness due to sleep deprivation.

Impacts of Post-Separation Economic Power and Coercive Control

As shown in the Post-Separation Economic Power and Control Wheel, the fear that perpetrators instil to maintain power and control a person post-separation has major impacts on an individual. The four main consequences of economic abuse listed include: 

  • Coerced Debt
  • Damaged Credit File
  • Inhibited Employment & Education
  • Bankruptcy

These consequences affect a person’s ability to move on, and advance in their lives because of the impacts of post-separation power and coercive control that their previous partner inflicts on them still. Other impacts include emotional and mental well-being of the survivor who may feel serious alarm or distress which has an effect on their way of living and has caused them to change the way they live. 

The consequences can also be long-term and may cause or worsen chronic health problems of various kinds, including asthma, epilepsy, digestive problems, migraine, hypertension, and skin disorders. There are also serious mental health effects associated with coercive control such as anxiety, depression, loss of self esteem and sense of self. Some survivors experience complex post traumatic stress disorder.

Experiencing coercive control is like being taken hostage; the victim becomes captive in an unreal world created by the partner/abuser, entrapped in a world of confusion, contradiction and fear. This can sometimes lead to negative coping strategies such as reliance on alcohol, medication or self-harm. The social consequences are also considerable with women becoming isolated, losing jobs and income, finding it difficult to trust or develop relationships, and questioning her abilities including her capacity for mothering.

These consequences affect a person’s ability to move on, and advance in their lives because of the impacts of post-separation power and coercive control that their previous partner inflicts on them still. Other impacts include emotional and mental well-being of the survivor who may feel serious alarm or distress which has an effect on their way of living and has caused them to change the way they live. 

Prevention/Safety Planning

There is limited research and data on prevention of coercive control in general, hence limited research and data on post-separation of economic power and coercive control prevention. This is partly a result of limited effectiveness of criminal and civil law as well as policy provisions and enforcement, alongside inadequate support, which results in victims/survivors to undertake ‘safety work’.  There is also limited research on safety planning and tips but the ‘safety work’ in relation to themselves and their children include:

  • Making use of sanctuary schemes and taking other safety precautions such as staying away from windows.
  • Keeping new addresses secret through arranging meeting points for child contact and selling the car so it was not recognised parked outside of the new home.
  • Changing locations known to the perpetrator such as workplace, school, doctors, children’s clubs and gym or otherwise changing routes to and/or routines in visiting such places.
  • Precautionary personal safety strategies such as locking the car door, having a mobile phone at all times and taking the dog out with them.
  • Managing social networks through keeping them small and placing priority on trustworthiness: this helped to minimise potential overlaps in friendship groups therefore preventing information about new routines being passed onto the abuser and minimising the likelihood of ‘bumping into’ them.

Other Economic Abuse Tips Post-Separation

    When leaving…

  • Consider taking at least half joint funds immediately upon leaving- 75% if leaving with children.
  • Document how funds were spent as may be asked to account for expenditures at a later date.
  • Open a separate bank account.
  • Change all direct deposits and account Personal Identification Numbers (PINs).

Workplace Safety

If it is safe, available and appropriate, consider the following:

  • Provide your supervisor and company security with a copy of your protection order, if you have one.
  • Provide your employer’s security and reception people with your partner’s photograph.
  • Ask security to escort you to and from the parking lot or to public transportation.
  • Screen your telephone calls.
  • Consider changing your work schedule and travel patterns to and from work.
  • Save threatening emails, voice mails, letters and gifts. If you choose to use the legal system.

This evidence will be helpful. If you have a protection order, document problems. This will help you prove that your partner or ex-partner is violating the order.

  • Request your workspace be moved to a more secure area or to another site if possible.
  • Get a donated cell phone from your local domestic violence shelter. This will provide you with another way to contact help or emergency services, if needed. Staying safe is of top importance during this difficult time.

Technology

If you are in an abusive relationship, it is very important that you continue to have access to technology, such as your mobile phone or computer, to find support and stay in touch with friends and family. 

However, technology can be used negatively — by your partner, ex-partner or their networks — to abuse, humiliate and control you. It can even be used to monitor your communications and activities without your knowledge.

Protect yourself through:

Devices: setting strong passwords, adding passwords to all devices, use passcodes, turn off your location, use a safe device such a prepaid phone, install an anti-virus protection on all devices. All this applies to both you and your children.

Internet: Use the private browsing option, delete your browsing history, use the internet at a safe place, such as a trusted person’s place, internet cafe or public library.

Email: use old email accounts, a new email address that does not use your real name, or a trusted friend or family member’s email account. This is important for safety planning in the event you need to set up a bank account or contact Centrelink. Be careful opening attachments.

Social Media: avoid posting identifying information, including photos. Block unknown or abusive people, and use the highest level security and privacy settings on your accounts to make sure your posts are only seen by the people you choose. Only add ‘friends’ you trust not to communicate with your (ex) partner. Use the privacy settings on your social media accounts.

It can be difficult, even terrifying, to figure out where to seek help, what options exist, and how to potentially get away from an abusive person. It is important to know there are many options for accessing resources and support. While online options can make it easier to access support, there are also some considerations for ensuring your privacy and safety while using them.

Evidence Gathering to prove Post-Separation Coercive Control

It is not the victim/survivor’s job to gather evidence of coercive control. Because coercive control is not currently a criminal offence in the Criminal Code of Canada, it is important for individuals to be cautious when gathering evidence of coercive control. This can include keeping copies of emails, text messages or voicemails, photographs of injuries or damaged property, evidence of financial abuse may be shown on bank statements or a diary of day to day experiences. The victim/survivor may also be able to demonstrate lost contact with friends or family members, withdrawal from clubs, activities, or has left employment. Medical records may show that their perpetrator has accompanied them to appointments.

Resources

If you are a victim of economic abuse within the context of domestic abuse or are supporting someone who is in that situation, please visit the:

Assaulted Women’s Helpline. – Provides anonymous and confidential crisis counseling as well as informational and emotional support to women.

Toll-free: 1-866-863-0511 Toll-free TTY: 1-866-863-7868

Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime (CRCVC) – Hundreds of programs exist to provide services and sanctuary to crime victims throughout Canada. They generally provide support and practical assistance.

Toll free –  1-877-232-2610  TEXT: 613-208-0747

Canadian Center for Women’s Empowerment (CCFWE) is partnering with Project Recover to support survivors of financial and economic abuse. Project Recover is a volunteer initiative of financial service industry executives, provides support to survivors and advocates on their behalf with creditors. Project Recover work with Canadian creditors on behalf of survivors through a feminist centred approach that ensures they are not re-victimized.

What if it’s not safe to talk out loud on the phone?

Many helplines and services offer multiple ways to connect, including text message or online chat for more discreet conversations. You can also use technology strategically to get help or connect with people you trust.

Consider what may be a safe option for you. Do you want to be able to call for help quickly? Or do you want a safe way to get a supportive ear when you need someone to talk to? Could someone see my conversations if I use a text line?

Helplines Offering Text Services (National and Provincial) 

Helpline Name Number Website Location
Crisis Text Line (powered by Kids Help Phone) Text: HOME to 686868 in Canada https://www.crisistextline.ca/ Canada Wide
ONTX Ontario Online & Text Crisis Services (2pm to 2am) Text: 258258 To use online:
http://dcontario.org/ontx.html		 Ontario
Assaulted Women’s Hotline Text: #SAFE (#7233) https://www.awhl.org/home Ontario
SOS violence conjugale No text services
1 800 363-9010		 http://www.sosviolenceconjugale.ca/ Quebec

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