Domestic, Financial Abuse and Coercive Control

Abuse can take many forms and may be carried out by a partner, family member, friend or carer:

• Domestic Abuse: This can include emotional/psychological, physical, sexual, or economic abuse used to gain or maintain power and control over a current or former partner or family member(s).

• Coercive Control: Domestic abuse is not always physical. Coercive control is a persistent and deliberate pattern of behaviours by an abuser over a prolonged period of time designed to restrict a person’s freedom and autonomy. It includes the use of tactics such as manipulation, gaslighting, threats, intimidation, degradation, isolation, and humiliation to achieve obedience and create fear.

• Economic Abuse: This is broader than financial abuse. It targets a person’s overall ability to be financially independent, now and into the future. It includes all the ways someone’s financial freedom or independence can be controlled or harmed.

• Financial Abuse: Financial abuse happens when someone directly controls, misuses, or takes another person’s money or property. It involves using coercion or control to restrict someone’s access to money, force financial decisions, or create dependence. This can make it extremely difficult for someone to regain independence or leave the situation.

Signs of economic/financial abuse may include someone:

• Stopping you from having a job or going to work.

• Taking control of your bank accounts or preventing you from accessing your money.

• Withholding money or preventing you from buying essentials.

• Taking out credit cards or loans in your name without your consent.

• Making you explain what you’ve spent your money on.

• Spending your money without telling you.

• Pressuring you to change your will, property ownership or other assets.

There are many organisations that provide confidential support, safe accommodation, legal advice, and practical supports.

• Safe Ireland – guidance and support for those experiencing sex, gender and sexuality-based violence, with the contact details of 37 local domestic abuse services available nationwide.

• Women’s Aid - confidential support for victims and survivors of abuse, including 24/7 freephone helpline.

• Banking and Payments Federation - ‘Safeguarding your money now and in the future’.

• HSE - HSE Domestic Sexual Gender Based Violence Support Services

• MABS (Money Advice and Budgeting Service) – free advice on budgeting, money management and problem debt.

If you are in immediate danger, call An Garda Síochána right away. If you are at risk of harm due to ongoing abuse, please reach out to your local Garda station and/or your local domestic violence service.

Here are some steps that may help protect your finances:

• Change your PINs and passwords regularly, even if you think they are not known to anyone else. You can change your PIN at any of our cash machines.

• Switch to online bank statements if you think someone might be opening your post.

• Open a new account in your own name – this can help you separate your money so you can manage it independently.

• Remove an abuser as a named cardholder from your credit cards – especially if they are building up debts on your card or spending without your consent.

• Check your credit file with the Central Credit Register for any loans, overdrafts or credit cards taken out in your name. If there is anything you did not apply for, contact the provider as soon as it’s safe.

• Freeze your card in the mobile app if it is no longer in your possession.

• If someone has access to any of your digital devices, regularly delete your browser history.

If you or someone you know is being exploited for personal or commercial gain — including forced labour or human trafficking — contact An Garda Síochána on 999 or 112. You can also contact the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland at (01) 889 7570 or email info@mrci.ie.