Finanacial Abuse & Economic Barriers: Practical Tools for Black Survivors to Rebuild Independence
Financial abuse is a destructive form of control that often keeps survivors trapped in abusive relationships. This type of abuse is especially prevalent in Black communities, where historical and systemic economic oppression adds further barriers to financial independence. In this blog, we’ll discuss how financial abuse occurs, the economic obstacles it creates for survivors, and practical steps Black survivors can take to regain their financial independence.
1. Common Forms of Financial Abuse in Black Communities
Financial abuse occurs when an abuser exerts control over a partner’s financial resources, creating dependency and limiting the survivor’s ability to leave. This control can manifest in various ways, such as preventing the survivor from working, controlling their income, or giving them a small allowance. Financial abuse is a powerful form of manipulation in domestic violence situations, occurring in 99% of cases, according to a study by the Centers for Financial Security.
In Black communities, financial abuse is often intertwined with economic disparities that stem from historical mistreatment and systemic racism. Black individuals face limited access to educational and financial opportunities compared to their white counterparts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that communities with high poverty rates and limited educational and economic opportunities face higher risks of domestic violence, making financial abuse even more devastating for Black survivors.
2. How Economic Barriers Keep Survivors Trapped
Economic barriers such as poverty, unemployment, and financial instability are key factors that trap survivors in abusive relationships. Abusers often manipulate survivors into believing they cannot survive without them financially, making it difficult for survivors to leave. For Black survivors, these barriers are often compounded by systemic inequalities, which can make finding stable employment or housing especially challenging.
Survivors with children face additional hurdles. After years of being out of the workforce, it can be difficult to explain employment gaps or rebuild financial security, especially when credit has been ruined, or debt has accumulated. The fear of homelessness, hunger, and the inability to provide for their children makes many survivors feel they have no option but to stay in an abusive relationship.
3. Practical Tools to Rebuild Independence
Despite the challenges, there are practical tools and resources available to help survivors of financial abuse regain their independence. Here are a few key steps Black survivors can take:
- Job Training and Career Support: Programs like Career ConneCT, SkillUPCT, and Workforce Development and Continuing Education offer career skills training and job assistance to help survivors re-enter the workforce. Survivors can also attend career fairs or research organizations that specialize in job placement for those with employment gaps.
- GED Programs: For survivors who need to complete their education, Connecticut provides resources for earning a GED. Information on these programs can be found on CT.gov, which offers a pathway for survivors to enhance their employment opportunities.
- Financial Workshops: Attending workshops like Money Smart, a Connecticut-based program that covers basic financial literacy, can help survivors rebuild their financial knowledge. These programs offer guidance on using banking services, obtaining credit, and even buying a home—critical steps in regaining financial stability.
- Financial Advisors: Working with a financial advisor can be an essential step in creating a personalized financial plan. Advisors can help survivors understand their assets and liabilities, develop savings strategies, and work toward long-term financial independence.
4. A Story of Resilience and Rebuilding
A story shared by *Broxtowe Women’s Project* illustrates the resilience of a woman who overcame financial abuse. In 2017, this woman found herself financially dependent on her husband after losing her job. He became increasingly controlling and mismanaged their finances, gambling away their savings and leaving bills unpaid, resulting in their eviction. He eventually fled the country, leaving her homeless, deep in debt, and without access to any financial resources.
With over $12,000 in debt and no form of income, the woman sought help from a debt advisor, who discovered that her eviction had been unlawful. The advisor helped get her debt written off and set up a payment plan for her council tax arrears. Through the support of domestic abuse outreach services and legal assistance, she was able to take legal action against her estranged husband and slowly began to rebuild her life. She later gained self-employment in the beauty industry, creating her own financial freedom. "I’ve been successful before; I can do it again!" she declared.
5. Steps Black Survivors Can Take Today
For Black survivors looking to reclaim their financial independence, here are a few important steps to consider:
- Reach Out for Support: Black survivors should connect with local resources like CT Safe Connect, a certified domestic violence program that provides survivors with safety planning, counseling, and referrals to community-based resources. Safe Connect helps survivors access essential services like legal assistance, medical care, and mental health support.
- Create a Financial Plan: It’s crucial to develop a financial plan, whether through enrolling in a financial literacy program or meeting with a financial advisor. If survivors are working, they should try to save money in a secure account, away from the abuser’s access.
- Develop a Safety Plan: Safety should always be a priority when making financial decisions. Survivors should reach out to domestic violence organizations for help creating a personalized safety plan to ensure their financial actions don’t increase the risk of harm.
- Career and Skills Development: Job training and educational programs can be valuable resources for regaining employment. Black survivors can look into programs offering career support, training, and job placement to help rebuild financial independence.
Breaking free from financial abuse is possible, but it takes support, determination, and access to the right resources. For Black survivors, reclaiming financial independence is not just about survival—it’s about building a brighter, safer future.
Are you ready to start your journey to financial independence and healing from generational trauma? Reach out to Quality Counseling at 203-584-7971 or visit www.Qualitycounselingct.com today.