Disabled women twice as likely to experience economic abuse

Disabled women are twice as likely to experience economic abuse as non-disabled women, new figures from charity Surviving Economic Abuse have revealed for International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December).

Almost one in four (23%) disabled women have experienced economic abuse, which means a partner or ex has controlled and limited access to their money.

It’s a type of domestic abuse which has long-lasting and damaging effects – as Amy’s experience highlights.

Amy’s story

Amy is a deaf survivor of economic abuse. After escaping her abuser, she faced challenges in court, where she was expected to hear everything herself.

Even with hearing aids, Amy can only catch about a quarter of what is said.

She emailed the court to tell them, but never received a reply.

After several calls, she was told they only help those who use sign language.

Amy asked for speech-to-script software for a remote hearing, but was told it didn’t exist. Her further emails went unanswered.

She described the noise from her hearing aids during the hearing as “awful”.

“The judge suggested I lip-read the perp,” she explained.

“They started to turn the screen so I would face him. I would have been self-representing, face-to-face with my rapist.”

The judge stopped sharing the screen only after Amy’s domestic violence adviser stepped in.

But even with her adviser’s support, no one told Amy what her abuser said.

Amy said: “How can you hear what's going on if you can’t hear what was asked? I missed much of what the perp said. I couldn't hear.”

Other financial challenges faced by disabled women

Surviving Economic Abuse’s research also found that disabled women are more likely to face economic abuse with:

• child support payments (23% compared to 7% of non-disabled women)
• their abuser interfering with benefits (15% compared to 4% of non-disabled women)

How to spot economic abuse

Some signs of economic abuse include:

• stopping you from going to school or work
• limiting your work hours
• taking your pay
• not letting you claim benefits
• taking your children's savings or gifts
• opening credit cards, loans, or mortgages in your name without consent
• blocking you from accessing a bank account

Find out what to do if you’ve been a victim of economic abuse.

Help and support

If you've left a relationship where you faced economic abuse, you may be having money troubles.

The Financial Support Line can provide specialist advice on 0808 196 8845.

Charities and organisations like the ones we’ve listed can also help you access grants and support:

• National Domestic Abuse helpline
• Refuge
• Women’s Aid
• Respect – Men’s Advice Line
• ManKind Initiative

Grants

Some banks and financial organisations offer hardship funds for customers facing money problems or escaping abusive relationships.

TSB’s 'emergency flee fund' provides a payment between £50 and £500.

This helps individuals leaving abusive situations with costs like travel, clothing, and toiletries.

You can find a complete list of charity grants on the Turn2Us website.

Benefits and extra council support

If you’re unemployed or on a low income, you can claim universal credit.

You might be able to claim personal independence payment if you’ve got a disability or long-term physical or mental health condition.

The household support fund helps with energy and water bills, food, and other essential items – apply through your local council.

Each council has its own rules for giving this out, so you might receive cash directly or vouchers, depending on their policy.

You may also qualify for a discount on your council tax. The amount you get varies based on your location and personal situation.

You can find more information on the government website.

To check whether you’re getting all the support you’re entitled, use our free calculator.

Help with coercive debt

If you've escaped an abusive relationship, you might be dealing with debt taken out in your name without your consent – something one in 26 (4%) women have experienced.

All of our advice is free, so get in touch with us online or give us a call.