Research and Evidence

Economic Justice: Evidence-Based Solutions for Economic Abuse

We advance economic justice through trauma-informed research on economic abuse, shaping policies and systems that protect and empower women across Canada.

Our Research Mission to Tackle Economic Abuse

  • Develop trauma-informed research findings that shed light on the hurdles and potential for service providers, policymakers, and women affected by violence.
  • Improve the dissemination of knowledge among women's service organizations shelters, policymakers, and financial institutions, enabling them to address survivors' economic security requirements more effectively.
  • Raise awareness about economic abuse among survivors, advocacy organizations, financial institutions, and the general public, empowering individuals to recognize and thwart this type of abuse.
  • Drive systemic change through evidence-based research tools, advocacy efforts, and policy recommendations aimed at enhancing the financial, social, and legal support systems for survivors.

Read Our Research

Examples of CCFWE Research Key Findings.
A Study on Access to Economic Resources During COVID-19 in the National Capital Region, ON

  • 80% of participants said instances of economic abuse increased during COVID-19 lockdowns.
  • 60-70% of participants said they were worried about their housing situation due to abuse before, during, and after the pandemic.
  • 94% of women have had their rent or bill money spent by their perpetrators without their permission.
  • 84% of women agreed or strongly agreed that as a result of their partner’s actions, their employment or education situation has worsened since the start of the pandemic.
  • Financial institutions were ranked as least helpful among all services

Download the report here: Research Study Ottawa Report

The study sought to explore the prevalence, perceptions, service barriers, needs, and access of survivors of economic abuse as a form of intimate partner violence. The national study surveyed three lines of inquiry, social service agencies, financial institutions, and victim-survivors. Social service providers were interviewed to gain a further understanding of their work, challenges, and successes. The purpose of the study was to develop educational materials for social service providers, and financial institutions to better support clients experiencing economic abuse and a screening too for social service providers, legal agencies, and financial institutions. Finally, the findings will help inform CCFWE on advocacy and policy recommendations. Download the full report here: Understanding the Nature of Economic Abuse: A National Study on Service Provider Insights in Canada. Download the National Study Infographic here: Infographic – Understanding the Nature of Economic Abuse Findings Social Services (n=292)
  • The respondents came from the majority of provinces, unfortunately, we did not receive any response from the territories or Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick (Ontario 59.6%, Prince Edward Island 6.5%, British Columbia 8.2%, Alberta 8.2%, Newfoundland and Labrador 5.5%, Quebec 1.0%, Manitoba .7%)
  • 23.9% of the respondents worked in rural areas, 40.7% worked in suburban areas and 35.4% worked in metropolitan areas
  • The respondents were asked about services specific to Economic Abuse, 55.2% stated they do have specific support for Economic Abuse, while 44.8% do not.
  • Almost 80% of the respondents stated their organizational supports are effective in helping clients experiencing Economic Abuse
  • While only 43% stated their organization’s current training is effective in helping them aid clients experiencing Economic Abuse
  • Pre-Covid approximately 26% of the clients of the respondents reported Economic Abuse, 52% of respondents noted an increase in calls about Economic Abuse once the provincial lockdowns started.
  • Frequency of the various forms of Economic Abuse
Always Often Sometimes Rarely Never
Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post
Economic Control 10.3% 12.9% 45.1% 45.6% 29.9% 26.6% 10.3% 10.5% 4.4% 4.4%
Economic Exploitation 10.3% 7.6% 40.9% 38.0% 36.5% 33.6% 10.3% 17.2% 2.0% 3.6%
Economic Sabotage*** 10.7% 13.2% 26.3% 32.0% 33.7% 32.0% 13.2% 14.8% 16.1% 8.0%
Economic abuse 14.6% 13.6% 42.4% 40.8% 32.7% 28.0% 8.8% 13.2% 1.5% 4.4%
Financial abuse 12.1% 15.1% 41.1% 39.4% 30.3% 21.5% 10.0% 17.1% 6.5% 6.8%
Victim Survivors (n=80)
  • Only 14% of the respondents are no longer with their partner. Most victims (25%) are still with their abuser
  • 20% of participants’ partner controls access to money, like access to their bank account or give them an allowance
  • 49% of respondents’ abusers interfere with or control their money, i.e., salary, child maintenance, welfare benefits
  • 41% of victims disagreed that their financial institution was protective of their safety, privacy, and security
  • 35% of victims disagreed or strongly disagreed that their financial institution was able to direct them to outside services to help with economic abuse.
  • 25.7% are experiencing control and interference with the things money can buy or give access to i.e., housing, food, personal belongings, or transportation
Financial Sector Staff (n=76)
  • Less than 30% of financial institution staff were trained on how to recognize financial abuse in victims of intimate partner violence.
  • 67% said they would not be able to recognize Economic Abuse characteristics if a client presented them.
  • 65% said they have not received training on how to recognize Economic Abuse
  • 37% disagreed that their organization’s training is effective in helping them aid clients experiencing financial abuse, while 32% agree or strongly agree with the statement.
  • 66% affirmed their organization’s training helps them aid clients experiencing elder abuse.
  • 52% of staff would like to receive training on the assessment and treatment of intimate partner violence and economic abuse.
  • 60% of staff agree or strongly agree that they would not know what to do if they suspect their client is a victim of IPV.
How to get involved in our research work. To become involved in the research department at CCFWE contact [email protected]

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Our research impact on tackling Economic Abuse

CCFWE’s research supports key submissions to the House of Commons, the Ontario Legislative Assembly, and all levels of government and financial institutions. Our evidence informs policy paper and addresses critical issues such as economic abuse, housing, the gender pay gap, access to financial resources and employment. This evidence-based approach strengthens out policy advocacy in Canada and beyond, leading to invitations to present before parliamentary committees.

Our annual national #HelpUsRise campaign, along with educational initiatives for financial institutions, credit collectors, and service provides, uses research findings to raise awareness and spark conversation around economic abuse. We also advocate for November 26th to be recognized as Economic Abuse Awareness Day, building global recognition of this under-acknowledged issue. Learn more about our global engagement.

CCFWE research directly informs the creation of practical tools for survivors and service providers:

  • STEAR MOBILE‌: A mobile financial empowerment tool offering essential information on survivors’ needs, challenges and strategies for support. Download the app.
  • Economic Abuse Screening Tool: Designed to help social service providers, especially shelter workers, identify and respond to economic abuse. Download the tool.
  • Educational Materials and Fact Sheets: Evidence-informed resources for survivors, financial institutions, and frontline service providers. Read more.

Our research gives us a deeper understanding of the realities survivors face. This insight has enabled us to design programs that close critical service gaps and foster long-term financial empowerment and resilience.

Join Our Research Impact on Tackling Economic Abuse

Are you passionate about addressing economic abuse and its impact on individuals and communities? Do you want to make a difference by contributing to cutting-edge Economic Abuse research or collaborating with experts in the field?

We dedicate ourselves to understanding and combating Economic Abuse through research and collaboration. We invite individuals, organizations, and researchers from diverse backgrounds to join us in our efforts to make a meaningful impact.

 

Email us at [email protected]

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Canadian Center for Women’s Empowerment

Ottawa, Canada
Corp no 1187774-7
[email protected]

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TERRITORIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We recognize that the Canadian Center for Women’s Empowerment is located on unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation. We extend our respect to all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples for their valuable past and present contributions to this land.

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