It’s Not Survivors Who Need To Change, But The Systems Around Them
Written By: Julia Vellucci, CCFWE Social Justice Writer A total of 17 participants, who were refugee survivors, some from shared housing, balancing caregiving responsibilities, still navigating the emotional fallout of abuse and committed to rebuilding their financial lives, completed the post-training survey following the six-week Reclaim and Rise Financial Empowerment program. They came ready […]
Help Us Rise 2025: Tackling Economic Abuse and Housing Barriers to Prevent Femicide
Written By: Julia Vellucci, Social Justice Writer As The Canadian Centre for Women’s Empowerment (CCFWE) calls for urgent action to address femicide, the most severe outcome of gender-based violence, often rooted in economic abuse, we must remind ourselves of CCFWE’s 2025 Help Us Rise Campaign. CCFWE is Canada’s only national non-profit focused on […]
A Turning Point for Financial Inclusion and Economic Justice in Canada
Written by Meseret Haileyesus, Founder & Executive Director, Canadian Center for Women’s Empowerment (CCFWE) and Co founder of International Coalition Against Economic Abuse (ICAEA) For decades, survivors and advocates have called for recognition of economic abuse as a form of gender-based violence. Economic abuse occurs when a person controls, exploits, or sabotages another’s access […]
Breaking the Silence: A Mother’s Fight for Her Children and the Truth
Gurpreet Singh is fed up with the legal system’s failure to protect families and shares her story to expose its flaws and show the relentless fight she faces as a mother. Singh has ADHD and depression but was misdiagnosed with just depression as research from the National Library of Medicine states many women are. […]
Not Just a Straight Issue: Economic Abuse in the 2SLGBTQ+ Community
Lauren Parcher (they/them) a registered social worker with the Canadian Centre for Women’s Empowerment (CCFWE) noted that economic abuse is often wrongly viewed as only occurring between a man and a woman, when in fact it can happen in any relationship. “People can’t identify an abuser as easily in same-sex relationships. So that’s maybe why […]
Leveraging Technology to Combat Gender-Based Violence and Economic Abuse
In today’s rapidly evolving digital age, technology has become an integral part of our lives. However, its impact isn’t always positive, particularly when it comes to gender-based violence (GBV) and economic abuse. While technology can serve as a tool for empowerment and connection, it can also be weaponized to control, monitor, and exploit individuals, especially […]
Reproductive Economic Abuse: The Intersection of Financial Control, Immigration, and Lost Autonomy
“I moved to Canada one year ago. I didn’t know anyone and depended on him for everything housing, money, even my immigration status. He wouldn’t let me use birth control. When I tried, he threatened to cancel my PR application. He said I owed him a child because he brought me to Canada. When I […]
Breaking Free: Katie Oppen’s Journey from Economic Abuse to Empowerment
As a woman in her 70s, Katie Oppen recalled how things were different back then, though not necessarily right as her husband discouraged her from attending university or working, forcing her to take low-paying side jobs and stretch her bachelor’s program to 15 years instead of four. “I met my husband in my first year […]
When Love Becomes a Debt: How Gifts Turn into Weapons of Economic Abuse
Beyond the Breakup: The Hidden Abuse Many Women Face As we observe Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the strength, resilience, and contributions of women throughout history, we must also confront the silent crime of economic abuse—a growing but often ignored form of post-breakup harassment. Many women, after leaving relationships, find themselves haunted by […]
Breaking Barriers: Addressing Anti-Black Racism in Healthcare and Economic Security
Chenai Kadungure, executive director of the Black Physicians Association of Ontario (BPAO), said when doing cauterization rounds, a medical procedure that uses heat or chemicals to burn tissue, many people still say things like Black don’t bleed. Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2024-2028 will give particular attention to addressing how anti-Black racism and the unequal treatment of Black […]
Tech-Facilitated Economic Abuse and Violence
Background: What is Technology Based Violence? Technology based violence is often overlooked when it comes to gender-based violence. When people think of gender-based violence what often comes to mind is direct contact violence such as physical and sexual abuse. However, with the emergence of technology new mechanisms have been developed to target victims. There exists […]
Technology-Facilitated Economic Abuse: Addressing the Digital Impact on Survivors
Technology-Facilitated Economic Abuse: Addressing the Digital Impact on Survivors As CCFWE’s National Economic Abuse Awareness and Advocacy unfolds, we continue highlighting critical issues and solutions. Our ‘Help Us Rise Campaign’ hosted a thought-provoking panel event spotlighting the pressing impact of economic abuse in the digital age. Bringing together leading experts, passionate advocates, and community […]
Enhancing Financial and Tech Security for Victims of Economic Abuse
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. […]
The Unique Challenges of Disability in a Financially Abusive Relationship
As we strive to shed light on different forms of abuse, economic abuse remains largely misunderstood, particularly when the partner being abused has a disability. This is an urgent issue: disabled individuals, especially women, face a compounded vulnerability to financial manipulation and control, given the specific social and economic challenges tied to living with a […]
Understanding Economic Abuse Tactics: Sabotage, Exploitation, and Control
November is National Economic Abuse Awareness and Advocacy Month
As part of the “Help Us Rise” campaign, this month, we’re shedding light on how economic abuse can deeply impact lives, starting with a foundational understanding of economic abuse tactics.
International awareness can prevent trafficking coerced debt, economic abuse and raise economic empowerment
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons raises awareness, promotes the protection of the rights of trafficking victims and encourages prevention and combatting of trafficking by the government, organizations and individuals.
Gender-based violence plays a huge role in filicide
The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression acknowledges the pain of which children around the world suffer, may it be physical, mental or emotional abuse, especially those in war torn countries.
The need for financial education on reserves
National Indigenous History Month recognizes the history of Indigenous people and how far as a society there still is to go to achieve true reconciliation, equality and justice for Indigenous communities.
The Call to Embrace Equity on International Women’s Day
“Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
Silenced and Stripped: Confronting the Racial Wealth Gap and Gender-Based Violence Against Black Women in Canada
As we transition from Black History Month to Women’s History Month, it is essential to acknowledge that while February is dedicated to honouring and recognizing the history and experiences of Black people in Canada..
The Importance of Black History Month to Economic Empowerment
February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of Black Canadians to our country. This month is particularly important for the Canadian Center for Women’s
The CCFWE – Collaboration is Key in 2023
As we ring in the New Year the Canadian Centre for Women’s Empowerment (CCFWE) would like to extend a warm thank you to our collaborating partners of 2022
A Holiday Message from CCFWE
The holidays can be a joyous occasion filled with friends and family, but for victims and survivors of abuse it’s often one of the most difficult times of year.
The Benefits of Continuing Education for Women
The pandemic has destabilized the workforce, with many Canadian women losing their jobs or choosing to stay home to care for their children. According to RBC Economics,
How to spot economic abuse 2022
Aligning with the international movement of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence the day highlights the unique experiences of Economic Abuse within intimate partner violence.
#HelpUsRise2022 – Why Do We Need This Campaign?
Unlike other forms of domestic violence, Economic Abuse is often harder to spot. Add to that a lack of data on Economic Abuse in Canada, making it even more difficult to identify and address, leaving victims and survivors without the resources and support they need.
A Call To Action For Canadian Banks To Institute Economic Abuse Prevention Policies
While the Canadian Bankers Association (“CBA”) has gone the extra mile to educate not only banks but the public, generally, about the issue of economic abuse;
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Discussing Gender Based Violence Against Indigenous Women
Gender-based violence is a term used to describe the abuse and violence experienced by women and girls due to their gender. Forms of abuse and violence can be emotional, physical, verbal, spiritual, and economic. Gender-based violence occurs in any type of relationship.
Spotting the Signs of Economic Abuse and How to Rebuild Yourself After
Economic abuse can manifest itself in various forms. For instance, it can include being financially dependent on your spouse and being denied access to bank accounts, information, and decision-making rights.
Witnessing abuse this holiday season
It’s the holidays. You’re sitting down for an excellently curated meal with the family. And an all-too-familiar scene presents itself.
A man refers to his wife as a ‘bitch’.
The Need to Educate Canadian Financial Institutions Regarding Economic Abuse
Historically, many a study conducted including one by Thomas McCabe, Ph.D., 1991, discloses how individuals react differently to major life traumas or “psychosocial stressors” and how some individuals, given a failure to learn from their mistakes, inadvertently set themselves up for revictimization.
The New Divorce Act and Financial Abuse
In March 2021, Canada enacted several major changes to the Divorce Act, which covers the federal aspects of divorce, including parenting arrangements, spousal support, and child support. For the first time, the Divorce Act considers the issue of “family violence,” including “financial abuse,”..
COVID AND CANADA’S CONCERN REGARDING VICTIMS OF ECONOMIC
Its’ well established COVID-19 has largely contributed to the rise in domestic abuse, globally: that includes Canada. In fact, on the west coast of Canada in Vancouver domestic violence crisis calls have increased 300%.
Economic Hardship, Divorce and Children in the Middle
While 10th may not seem so alarming, we need to bear in mind this is a “worldwide” ratio comparison. We need to pay heed to the notion of how many countries there truly are in the world.
Economic Abuse and Disability
Anna identifies as a survivor of physical, psychological, and economic abuse. She also has arthritis, a learning disability, chronic depression, and anxiety. She is one of the women falling through the cracks of the Canadian system
International Women’s Day: Choose to Challenge Economic Abuse
International Women’s Day is often thought of as a celebration of the strengths and power that women have and progress that women have made. Events which mark the occasion celebrate womanhood in all its forms. But let us not forget the true origins of International Women’s Day - a protest calling for women’s right to [...] CCFWE CEO Honoured as Woman of Worth
Founder of Ottawa-Based Women’s Charity Wins National Changemaker Award Canadian Center for Women’s Empowerment Founder Meseret Haileyesus named a 2021 L’Oréal Women of Worth Honoree and awarded $10,000 OTTAWA, Feb.22, 2021 – When a woman wants to leave an abusive relationship, her financial situation is a critical factor in her ability to do so. Abusers [...] Resources to Liberate You from Economic Hardship
There is much yet to be “unearthed” about the true economic consequences of Divorce, Separation and Domestic Abuse…
The Financial Consequences of Divorce and Domestic Abuse on Children
When we think about Divorce and/or particularly Domestic Abuse we tend to immediately hyper focus on the hardship endured by the adult…
Shelter Insights on Economic Abuse: Part 3: The Importance of Stable and Affordable Housing
As a former shelter worker, I can attest to asking women when they call in crisis whether they are safe in the moment they call, and if they are not they can come into shelter…
Shelter Insights on Economic Abuse Part 2: Food Banks & Housing
Income and food banks are some of the things that women struggle with when they are placed in a situation that does not allow them to purchase food often then turning to food banks…
Shelter Insights on Economic Abuse
Women and children in abusive relationships are at greater risk when the relationship breaks down and the only way they can be safe from domestic violence…
BE IT RESOLVED that it is time for the Canadian Government to Act on Economic Abuse
As December descends upon unceded territory in Canada, we would like to thank everyone for taking action and helping in advocating for systematic change…
The Mental Health Cost of Financial Abuse
While many people recognize that Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a scourge on Canadian society, very few people have heard of economic abuse…
Indigenous Women Disproportionately Experience Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence (DV) can include many forms of abuse, including physical, sexual, verbal,emotional, financial, and neglect…
Systemic barriers for racialized survivors of DV
The intersectionality of race and gender becomes very apparent when women of colour need to leave abusive relationships…
Economic Abuse and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence
The United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence began in 1991, and occurs annually beginning on November 25 th on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women…
Covid-19’s Financial Effect On Domestic Violence Victims
COVID-19 has increased financial loss and hardship for families, generally. Fortunately, healthy family systems can often…
How to Spot Economic Abuse
Economic abuse is notoriously hard to recognize and even harder to recover from. This is partially because there is little public awareness of what economic abuse really is. “If you were well-educated about economic abuse you could identify it like you would other forms of abuse if your sister or friend was suffering from it,” says Meseret Haileyesus,
No Money, Mo’ problems
The notorious big question: why are Canadians not talking about economic abuse? Join the discussion to #HelpUsRise