Christmas should be a time for joy, but nearly four million children will spend it in fear, facing poverty and homelessness, with empty tummies and no presents under the tree.
“Even though Mum would do her best to protect us, she wasn’t able to hide the fact that the cupboards and fridge weren’t as full as they usually were, and I think we all knew there wasn’t enough food to go around. I’ve deliberately left food on my plate knowing that would be all that she ate that day.”
No child should have their childhood shattered by economic abuse. Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) is committed to breaking the cycle.
But we need your help.
SEA has been chosen as one of this year’s charities for The Big Give Christmas Challenge.
Between midday on Tuesday 2 December and midday on Tuesday 9 December, every pound you donate will be matched, doubling the impact of your donation.
Donate today and double your impact
“However much you might try to shield your kids, they know when the house is freezing, they know when they can’t go on school trips, they know that we’re one surprise bill away from a food bank.”
Why donate to SEA?
Awareness of economic abuse is low, and abusers are misusing public services to cause harm.
Sarah* left her abusive ex-partner after years of emotional, economic and physical abuse. She continues to experience post-separation abuse to this day.
The abuser forced her to give up her career, and she was left solely responsible for their small children.
Shortly after separation, Sarah’s ex stopped paying all child maintenance and his share of the joint mortgage.
What followed were years of financial precarity, where Sarah tried to keep her family’s head above water.
“My ex would stop maintenance payments right before Christmas, knowing it would leave the kids disappointed and confused and me suddenly left scrabbling to put food on the table at all.”
At SEA, we work day in, day out to give families like Sarah’s their futures back. We offer vital information, so families can get help sooner. We train professionals, like children’s services, to spot and respond to economic abuse. We campaign for law change, like reforming the Child Maintenance Service, so children get the support they deserve.
By raising awareness, changing systems, and equipping frontline workers, we can help protect children and give them back their futures.
Will you help us?
