Economic abuse linked to one domestic abuse death every 19 to 21 days

In Brief

Economic abuse by partners contributes to frequent domestic abuse-related deaths.

Key Facts

• Economic abuse by a partner contributes to one death from homicide or suicide every 19 days according to a charity report
• Another report states one economic abuse victim dies every three weeks
• Economic abuse includes control over income, spending, bank accounts, bills, borrowing, transport, technology, property, food, and clothing
• Financial abuse is a factor in more than half of deaths related to domestic abuse but is often misunderstood or overlooked
• Surviving Economic Abuse (Sea) is the charity that provided the data on economic abuse and domestic abuse deaths

What Happened

A charity report from Surviving Economic Abuse (Sea) found that economic abuse by intimate partners is a factor in domestic abuse deaths, contributing to one death every 19 days according to one source and every three weeks according to another. Economic abuse involves controlling various financial and material resources, and it is often misunderstood or overlooked in the context of domestic abuse fatalities.

Why It Matters

These findings highlight the significant role economic abuse plays in domestic abuse-related deaths, emphasizing the need for greater awareness, better support services, and targeted interventions. Recognizing economic abuse as a serious factor can improve prevention efforts and aid victims more effectively. Reports vary on the exact frequency of deaths linked to economic abuse, with one source stating one death every 19 days and another stating one every three weeks.