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There are many forms of abuse in intimate relationships. Economic abuse is common, and is a way that abusers try to control their partners through money.

Economic abuse can take many forms 

• Keeping a partner from being able to use the couple's money
• Keeping a partner from knowing about the couple's finances
• Controlling all the finances against the other partner's wishes
• Running up large debts in joint accounts
• Running up debts in a partner's name 
• Running up arrears in their personal or business taxes 
• Adding to the mortgage on the family home without the partner's consent
• Taking out credit cards in a partner's name, or their children's names
• Stealing money from a partner
• Not allowing a partner to work
• Forcing a partner to earn the income for the couple
• Putting a partner's current or future job at risk by harassing or abusing them
• Telling a partner that they will cut off financial support if the partner leaves
• Using bills or credit card statements to find a partner who has left

If this is happening to you, contact the Assaulted Women's Helpline for confidential support and to find help near you (1-866-863-0511 or TTY: 1-866-863-7868).

How to protect yourself from economic abuse

You can keep control of your own finances and limit how economic abuse affects you. Here are some things you can try to do: 

• Keep track of your finances so that you will know if you are being economically abused.
• Separate your money and debt from your partners'.
• Keep copies of important financial and legal documents in a safe place away from home. These documents include deeds for any property you own, medical records, documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, passports and social insurance cards. You can keep important financial or legal documents with a trusted friend or family member, or locked in a secure place like a safe. You can also email important documents to yourself or upload to them to a website that stores documents.

What to do when you leave a partner who is economically abusive

Women who decide to leave abusive partners often don't have much money and may not have much credit. This can make it difficult for them to find a place to live or to pay for food, clothing and other things they need. Since this is a common problem, there are funds set up to help women leaving abusive partners. 

To find out about how to apply for this money, contact your local Ontario Works office or call the Assaulted Women's Helpline for more information about help available in your area. (1-866-863-0511 or TTY: 1-866-863-7868). See Where to get help when you need it (p.49).

If you leave an abusive relationship, you need to protect your finances. To do this, remember to:

• Take your name off any joint accounts you have with your partner
• Change the PIN and passwords on all of your own accounts

Talk to a lawyer about how to finalize the financial details of your separation. For help finding a lawyer, see Where to get help when you need it.