Domestic Violence & Financial Abuse

A conversation about women's health and financial education
Let's talk about how

Money Can Make a Difference

One in four women will experience domestic violence at some point in her life, and 99% of victims will also suffer financial abuse. Abusers use financial control, isolation, and intimidation to keep their victims trapped. In fact, financial obstacles and financial dependence are primary reasons that many women stay in abusive relationships, especially if they have children. Almost every aspect of leaving an abusive situation involves money, like filling the car with gas, buying a bus or plane ticket, finding a new place to live, and putting food on the table.

Take Action

5 Steps to Empower Yourself Financially

What can you do if this is happening to you? Consider the following steps to help protect your money and financial future.

Learn How Money Works

Unfortunately, we aren’t taught basic financial principles in school, and sadly, many women stay in abusive relationships because of money. You don’t have to be a financial professional to learn how to become financially free, build a savings, learn about basic investment strategies or how to make your money grow. There are many books and online resources that can help you get started.

Be Involved With Your Finances

Frequently, one person in a couple knows everything about the financial picture while the other person is totally in the dark. Even in  healthy relationships, it is imperative that both parties know exactly what is going on.  This also helps protect you from becoming a victim of financial abuse if things ever take a turn for the worst. 

Look for Red Flags

Common signs of financial abuse include: the abuser drains the bank account, denies or limits access to money and information about money, hides assets, demands a detailed accounting of how money is spent, criticizes financial decisions, threatens to withhold money, forces the victim to miss or be late for work, belittles the victim’s work of academic accomplishments.

Talk About The Problem

Many women want to stay quiet and not let others find out about what they are going through. This makes things worse, not better. Women need to come together and speak out because your story and the steps you took to regain your financial footing could be exactly what can help another woman during this difficult time in her life.  

Put a Plan Together

Almost every aspect of leaving an abusive situation involves money. Even after they leave, many victims carry the burden of bad credit, judgement liens, bankruptcies and back taxes for years. This is why it is crucial to have an individual financial safety plan in place that can carry you at least six months and help pay bills, rent, food and other expenses.

“Many victims say that they can’t see it while they’re in it. To help connect the dots, we created these videos to share stories of going from victim to survivor to thriver. Knowing how money works is the first step.”

– Kim Scouller

Introduction: Kim Scouller

Our women’s initiative is focused on making financial education and the financial profession more accessible to women, so no woman is left behind.  Bringing awareness to domestic violence and financial abuse is part of our outreach to women.  We believe that improving financial literacy for women will open more doors and windows.  In these videos, you will hear from WealthWave leaders and survivor advocates about the problem and how we can help.

Trigger/Content Warning: The following videos contain material that may be traumatizing to some audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.
Andrea D. Jenkins Interview

Andrea D. Jenkins shares her story of escaping an abusive relationship and becoming the strong victim advocate and business leader she is today.  She also provides a special message in ASL for victims who are hearing impaired.

Panel Discussion

Listen to insights from Ivette Kuyateh, Victim Advocate & Former Prosecutor, and from Neisha Himes, Founder of G.R.O.W. (Girls Recognizing Our Worth) Foundation.

Poem: "Dear Broken Woman"

Neisha Himes delivers a powerful performance inspired by her personal experience and desire to encourage other women.

Andrea D. Jenkins and DáRion Davis, 2021

One year since sharing her story for the first time, Andrea D. Jenkins returns with her stepson DáRion Davis.

Debra Kalish: Red Flags and Protecting Yourself

Longtime WealthWave® friend, lieutenant Debra Kalish, shares what you can do to escape an abusive situation and how to spot the warning signs.

Gulcan Agee's Courageous Story

Leader Gulcan Agee’s parents arranged for her, at fourteen, to marry an older, abusive man and live in Saudi Arabia. She escaped and has made it her life’s mission to end this inhumane practice.

Raven Jalise: "The Chase" 

Listen as Raven performs her poem about the only obstacle in the way of her happiness—herself.

GEt To KNow

Our Guest Speakers

DáRion Davis
Andrea D. Jenkin's Stepson / Transportation Entrepreneur
Debra Kalish
Lieutenant, Johns Creek, GA Police Department
Gulcan Agee
WealthWave Leader

Resources

To find resources in your area, go to https://www.domesticshelters.org.
To speak with an advocate, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

One Income Dollar Article

"Financial abuse is a big part of domestic violence, but you can protect yourself!" 
Read Article > 

Inspirational Women Podcast

"Literacy is critically important. Financial Literacy is just as critical."
Hear Podcast >

In The Limelight Video

Tune in to this important discussion about domestic violence and financial abuse.
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Steps to Separate Domestic Violence From Family Finances

"Both people in a partnership should be equally involved in the finances." 
Hear Interview > 

3 Warning Signs Of Financial Abuse—And How Victims Can Recover

"Domestic abuse is more than just physical harm..."
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