The concept of abuse is often visualized through physical scars, yet a far more insidious and quiet epidemic is unfolding behind closed doors: economic abuse. This form of control, which involves a partner manipulating or restricting an individual’s access to money and financial independence, is currently affecting over a million young women and girls in the UK. According to recent, sobering research from the charity Surviving Economic Abuse, this isn’t just a sporadic issue; it is a systemic crisis. Disturbingly, one in three young women are estimated to experience this form of mistreatment before they even reach adulthood, stripping them of their autonomy and, in many cases, trapping them in volatile relationships they feel powerless to leave.
Economic abuse is far more complex than just “not having enough money.” It is a calculated strategy of coercion that can manifest in various ways: stealing an income, sabotaging credit scores, restricting access to bank accounts, or even preventing a partner from pursuing an education or a career. By controlling the resources necessary for survival—including technology and transportation—abusers create a prison without bars. For many victims, this control persists long after a relationship has ostensibly ended, as the lingering weight of debt or the destruction of personal property continues to haunt their attempts at building a new life. It is a persistent, suffocating tether that prevents young people from achieving the independence they deserve.
Perhaps the most alarming finding from the recent study, conducted by Ipsos UK, is the speed at which this abuse takes root. While we often imagine that domestic issues develop over years of compromise and conflict, 17% of girls aged 16 to 18 reported that financial control began within the very first month of their relationship. This is double the rate seen in women aged 22 to 24, suggesting that predators are specifically identifying and exploiting the vulnerability and inexperience of teenagers. When young people are just beginning their adult lives—often navigating their first jobs or shared living spaces—they are least prepared to recognize the warning signs of someone slowly dismantling their financial agency.
The victims of this abuse describe a profound sense of isolation, often because societal discourse focuses so heavily on later stages of adult life. As one survivor poignantly noted, we spend a great deal of time encouraging young people to move in together and plan for the future, yet we provide next to no guidance on what happens when that trust is weaponized. When a partner pressures someone to hand over their wages, forces them to buy things they don’t want, or deliberately destroys their belongings, the psychological toll is immense. For the 346,000 young women who have been prevented from working or studying by a partner, the abuse hasn’t just stolen their money; it has stolen their future prospects and their ability to forge a path of their own.
Addressing this epidemic requires a cultural shift that moves beyond viewing domestic violence solely through a physical lens. Experts like Sam Smethers, chief executive of Surviving Economic Abuse, are calling for an urgent intervention from those closest to young people: parents, teachers, and mentors. We must move toward a culture of open conversation where “financial red flags” are discussed with the same seriousness as physical ones. Resources like the “spotting the signs” challenge and the “shifting the dial” toolkit—developed by academic and charitable partnerships—are vital steps, but they only work if society collectively decides to acknowledge the scale of this emergency and prioritize the financial safety of the next generation.
Ultimately, the goal of these campaigns is to foster a reality where young women can enter relationships with full autonomy and mutual respect, rather than the fear of financial entrapment. By shining a light on this hidden crisis, we aren’t just sharing data; we are providing a lifeline to those who thought they were alone in their struggle. Whether it is through legislative support, better education in our schools, or simply checking in on the younger people in our lives, we have a collective responsibility to dismantle the structures of economic control. Breaking the cycle of abuse begins with the courage to name it, the wisdom to recognize it, and the resolve to ensure that no one’s future is held hostage by a partner’s design.
