Often, when speaking about domestic violence, we hear the question “Why can’t they just leave?” While there is a multitude of reasons, a main phenomenon our advocates come across is the financial strain that domestic violence causes. According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, Financial Abuse occurs in 99% of domestic violence cases.
You many then ask, “How does that effect someone from leaving?”. It’s an understandable question. Financial abuse can include, but is not limited to:
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forbidding or sabotaging the victim to/at work
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controlling how the money is spent
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forcing the victim to write fraudulent checks and payday loans
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refusing to pay the utilities in the victim’s name to ruin their credit
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giving an allowance that does not allow the victim to purchase basic hygienic needs.
This means that a victim may not have the money or transportation to even drive to Haven, let alone, leave their home without services. There is no extra money to pay for housing application fees, a hotel, food, a bed, or even childcare so a person can get a job once they leave.
While Haven has a multitude of ways we support victims of financial abuse, our main one is the Self Sufficiency Transitional Housing Program. This program gives victims the time and resources to learn basic skills like budgeting, debt management, how to keep up with car maintenance, document retention and storage, resume creation, and much more. This hybrid financial literacy program gives victims the tools they need to not only get out of the debt created by their abuser but possibly learn healthy habits like savings and credit building to set their future up for success.
Regardless of the type of domestic violence, Haven is here to help anyone who qualifies. If you are experiencing domestic violence, please give us a call at 918-554-2836.
