The evidence base on economic abuse and the negative economic impact of domestic violence more broadly has expanded over the past ten years. Our research library brings together evidence from the UK and around the world to help develop understanding of economic abuse.
Our team undertakes original research with victim-survivors of economic abuse and contributes to the growing evidence base on economic abuse in the UK. Our research informs our campaigning and policy influencing. It also provides the public with a vital insight into the scale and impact of economic abuse. Read our research and reports below.
December 2022
This in-depth research gives a picture of what economic abuse looks like globally in the context of intimate partner violence, drawing on findings from six continents. The study compiled a range of data on prevalence, nature, and policy & industry responses to economic abuse around the world.
March 2018
This article, which SEA’s CEO co-authored, examines 46 peer-reviewed research articles from multiple countries which include definitions and measures of economic abuse. The research found that the number of articles identified on economic abuse was considerably less than the number which would be found looking at other forms of domestic abuse. Whilst there was growing consistency among the definitions and measures of economic abuse used, work remains to be done.
January 2022
This article, written by SEA’s Research Officer, uses the findings from SEA’s The Cost of Covid-19 research to explore how perpetrators of economic abuse were able to stop, reduce or unreliably pay child maintenance payments during the covid-19 pandemic. Using interviews with victim-survivors of economic abuse, the research explores the impact of missing, late and incomplete payments on women and their children, and women’s experiences of contacting the Child Maintenance Service during the pandemic.
April 2021
Through interviews with victim-survivors and the frontline professionals who work with them, this research builds a picture of their experiences throughout the pandemic.
April 2021
This fact sheet outlines the profound impact Covid-19 and the coronavirus restrictions had on victim-survivors’ lives.
November 2021
Through a partnership between 11 organisations in the domestic abuse sector, this report is a detailed synthesis of the impact of Covid-19 on victim-survivors of domestic abuse in England and the frontline organisations that support them.
December 2017
An analysis of how economic abuse is reflected in successful prosecutions of controlling or coercive behaviour
September 2023
An updated analysis of how economic abuse is reflected and responded to within successful prosecutions of the Controlling or Coercive Behaviour Offence.
May 2022
Final evaluation of the Women First policy support grant funded by Smallwood Trust
October 2021
This research looked at victim-survivors’ experiences of the legal aid means test and how it is preventing them from accessing legal aid just when they need it most.
June 2021
In this report, Nicola Sharp-Jeffs revisits her original Winston Churchill Memorial Trust report and reflects on SEA’s growth since her Fellowship five years ago and the role the charity will play in tackling economic abuse going forward.
February 2021
This article critically assesses the definition of economic abuse included in the then-draft Domestic Abuse Bill, which SEA successfully campaigned for. It recognises that whilst this definition draws upon academic research on economic abuse, it could be strengthened further.
May 2018
Summary of learning gathered from a roundtable aimed to shape the development of the Domestic Abuse Bill (England and Wales).
2016
In 2016, Dr Nicola Sharp-Jeffs OBE was awarded a Churchill Fellowship and travelled to the United States and Australia to explore innovative responses to economic abuse. This report outlines the key finidings and recommendations arising from the Fellowship.
June 2019
This report, authored by Marilyn Howard with support from SEA, explores how social security payments across the four nations of the UK impact victim-survivors. Looking at the different stages a victim-survivor may experience (such as whilst living with an abuser, when leaving and whilst rebuilding), the report demonstrates how the social security system fails to support victim-survivors when they need it the most.
June 2018
This report, authored by Marilyn Howard with support from SEA, explores the links between financial abuse and the welfare benefit Universal Credit. It raises concerns about the ways Universal Credit can facilitate economic abuse in intimate partner relationships, such as through the default single payment per couple. The report also highlights concerns about the gender impact of aspects of the design of Universal Credit.
September 2020
An overview of the Economic Justice Project and key learnings that emerged from it. The findings are aimed at innovating the UK response to economic abuse at both a local delivery and national policy level.
September 2017
Conducted as part of SEA’s Economic Justice Project, this scoping report outlines what economic advocacy (including around consumer issues) was available at the time to victim-survivors accessing support from domestic violence services working across the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and the City of Westminster.
Current statistics on the prevalence and impact of coerced debt in the UK.
September 2020
an overview of the findings from a summative evaluation of the Project commissioned by Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) as they relate to supporting banks and training finance professionals
A report on training outcomes used to inform course development and delivery
An overview and evaluation of a one-day training course for frontline practitioners who provide financial capability support as part of their role.
August 2020
Findings from the summative evaluation of the Domestic and Economic Abuse Project (DEAP) commissioned by Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA)
The international network was established following our CEO’s Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship.
It shares best practice and research on economic abuse with practitioners, researchers and policy-makers via a newsletter. It has over 100 members across seven countries.
Surviving Economic Abuse is a registered charity. If you would like to support our work you can make a donation or become a regular giver. Visit our donations page for more information.
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