Financial violence:How power is exercised with money
Life at home can become torture if your partner allows you little money. Many women are affected but don’t know how to defend themselves. But there is help.
More and more women in Germany are becoming victims of domestic violence. This can also happen financially (symbolic image).
Source: dpa
Financial violence often occurs in abusive relationships
Financial violence occurs more frequently in violent relationship structures. “They (the perpetrators) do not bind women to themselves with love. They tie them up by collecting their money, controlling their expenses and commenting on them,” says Katharina Wulf from the Schleswig-Holstein Women’s Counseling Association.
This is how the perpetrators act
In the case of financial violence, the financial resources of those affected are actively limited by a person in their immediate environment. “It still applies that you don’t bite the hand that feeds you. Perpetrators know this,” says Katharina Wulf. This is a vicious circle that increases the victim’s dependence on the perpetrator. Many victims are not aware of this. They are humiliated and discriminated against, so that it even seems normal to them not to have free access to the common money.
- Control: Those affected have no access to bank accounts
- Exploitation: This involves accumulating debts in the name of the person concerned.
- Sabotage: This includes the ban on earning your own income.
- Post-breakup abuse: Maintenance payments are not paid out.
High number of unreported cases
:What to do about domestic violence?
Cases of domestic violence in Germany are increasing. What can outsiders do and what options are there to protect yourself and others?
FAQ
Financial violence almost always affects women
Why are women more likely to be affected? According to the Oberhausen women’s shelter, one reason for this is that women are still more involved in raising children, stay at home or work part-time. The result is lower or even no income. In this case, the oppressive partner has more financial options and deprives his partner of independent access to money.
Such are the consequences for the victims
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Offers of help for those affected
How can you tell whether people in your immediate surroundings are affected by financial violence? You should pay attention when those affected directly report incidents and complain about suffering. Free offers of help are available from the White Ring, women’s shelters and debt counseling services.
- “Violence against women”: 0 800 00/116 016
Chat or email contact at:
Women’s shelters:
Help and advice centers:
- Violence against men: 0 800/123 99 00
Chat and email contact at:
On-site help:
- Perpetrators can find help here: 01 62/1 39 84 43
Advice centers
2023-11-25 20:58:45
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