On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we confront a pervasive yet often invisible form of gender-based violence economic violence. Invisible, because the UN estimate that in 2024, 50,000 women and girls were killed by their partners or family members, one every 10 minutes. But domestic abuse often starts with economic violence. A 2024 IFOP survey in France, reveals alarming statistics about the prevalence of economic violence, underscoring how financial control is frequently the first step in a cycle of abuse.
Economic domination is a form of gender-based violence characterized by a partner’s control over the other’s financial resources, limiting access to moneyFrom the Latin word moneta, nickname that was given by Romans to the goddess Juno because there was a minting workshop next to her temple. Money is any item that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts, such as taxes, in a particular region, country or socio-economic context. Its onset dates back to the origins of humanity and its physical representation has taken on very varied forms until the appearance of metal coins. The banknote, a typical representati... More, employment, and economic decision-making. This control is a powerful tool of coercion, often preceding or accompanying physical and psychological abuse. According to a 2024 IFOP survey, 24% of women in France have experienced economic violence within their couples, a figure that has remained stable over the past year. The survey further reveals that 23% of women in a relationship do not have access to a personal bank account, which exacerbates their financial dependence and vulnerability. This figure also contradicts the figures of the French Banking Federation which claims that 99% of French people have a bank account. Maybe, we need to rethink how we measure account ownership?
Economic violence manifests in multiple ways: partners may confiscate wages, control bank accounts, forbid employment, or sabotage credit scores. These actions create a dependency that makes it nearly impossible for women to leave abusive relationships without external support. The IFOP data highlights that 72% of women experiencing economic violence also suffer verbal or physical abuse, illustrating how financial control is a foundational element of the abuser’s strategy. The consequences are severe: 57% of victims struggle to meet basic needs, and 15% face over-indebtedness or banking restrictions.
Economic violence is frequently overlooked, minimized, or confused with poor financial management. This invisibility allows the abuse to persist, reinforcing the power imbalance within relationships. The survey underscores the urgent need for recognition and intervention, as economic violence is not only a financial issue but a critical barrier to women’s safety and autonomy.
Economic abuse operates through a complex web of control mechanisms designed to isolate and disempower women. Abusers often start by controlling access to bank accounts, demanding receipts, or restricting spending. The IFOP survey reveals that 10% of women have experienced the diversion of household funds, while 12% report direct financial control by their partners. This control extends to employment, with abusers pressuring women to quit jobs or reduce work hours, further eroding their financial independence.
The psychological impact is profound. Women describe feeling “completely dependent” on their abusers, with 44% reporting a total lack of financial autonomy. This dependence is reinforced by the abuser’s manipulation, including threats to withhold money or sabotage financial stability if the woman resists or attempts to leave. The result is a cycle of fear and compliance, where economic control becomes a tool of coercion and a barrier to escape.
In the digital age, one might assume that online banking and financial apps would empower women to manage their finances independently. However, in abusive relationships, digital finance can become a weapon. Shared accounts allow abusers to monitor and restrict transactions in real time, while mobile banking apps can be accessed via coercion or spyware. The IFOP survey reveals that only 37% of victims manage to leave their abusers, often because financial barriers remain insurmountable. Studies by the US-based National Network to End Domestic Violence suggest that up to 99% of domestic violence cases involve some form of financial abuse.
CashMoney in physical form such as banknotes and coins. More, by contrast, is untraceable and immediately accessible. It does not require a partner’s approval or access to shared accounts. For women whose abusers monitor their digital transactions, cash provides a lifeline—enabling them to pay for emergency transport, shelter, or legal assistance without detection. This is especially critical for women without access to banking or those whose abusers control their accounts.
While initiatives like Crédit Mutuel’s secret accounts for victims are vital, they require time and institutional support to set up. Cash remains the fastest and most discreet option for immediate financial autonomy, a crucial factor when escape is urgent.
Cash offers women a practical means to regain control over their finances and their lives. Cash leaves no paperSee Banknote paper. More trail and cannot be easily tracked or blocked by an abuser. This makes it an essential resource for women planning to leave abusive relationships, especially when time and secrecy are of the essence.
Historically, cash has been a lifeline for marginalized groups, including domestic workers, refugees, and women in cash-based economies. In the context of economic abuse, cash enables women to fund emergency needs—such as a hotel stay, transportation, or a phone call for help—without relying on a partner’s approval or access to shared accounts. This is especially important for women without IDs, credit histories, or access to banking services.
The call to action is clear: policymakers, financial institutions, and NGOs must promote financial literacy that includes safeSecure container for storing money and valuables, with high resistance to breaking and entering. More cash-saving strategies, support cash-based aid for survivors, and advocate for privacy protections in financial systems. Preserving access to cash is critical for women’s immediate safety and autonomy.
Some argue that cash can be lost, stolen, or devalued by inflation. However, for women trapped in economic abuse, the risks of losing access to cash or being monitored through digital transactions far outweigh these concerns.
On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we must shine a light on the insidious nature of economic violence and its role as a gateway to other forms of abuse. The IFOP survey provides irrefutable evidence that economic violence is widespread and devastating, affecting nearly one in four women in France.
While physical violence leaves visible scars, economic violence traps women in silence—yet something as simple as cash can be a lifeline to freedom. Cash provides immediate financial autonomy when digital or shared accounts are weaponized against women. It is a practical, low-tech solution that empowers women to escape abusive relationships and rebuild their lives.
Freedom shouldn’t depend on a password or a partner’s permission. Cash is a key to unlocking a new life. Let us act now to ensure that all women have the financial autonomy they deserve, free from the invisible grip of economic violence.