On Day 2 of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, Tender is shining a light on economic abuse, its lasting, harmful consequences, and the need to embed financial understanding in the curriculum.
Tender CEO, Susie McDonald says:
‘Money, finances and property are frequently weaponised in domestic abuse; perpetrators control or withhold funds leaving victims/survivors with coerced debt, damaged credit scores and loss of their own property. Financial/economic abuse plays a significant role in trapping victims/survivors in the relationship. And it means that even when the relationship has ended, the abuse does not.
‘Children and young people are reaching adulthood without quality financial education, leaving them vulnerable to this economic abuse. Plagued by misogynist influencers promoting ‘traditional’ gender roles in which women are dependent, there is a gap in education to counteract these narratives, and teach the importance of equality.
‘Tender’s healthy relationship programmes include exploration of financial/economic abuse that is relevant to their lives and experiences. By making RSHE a specialist subject, we can embed these skills in the curriculum, ensuring all young people have the tools to achieve and maintain healthy relationships and financial independence.’
Susie’s comments follow new research by MoneyShe which found that one in three women feel trapped in their relationship or living situation due a lack of financial independence.
Tender will today attend a Westminster reception hosted by Matthew Patrick MP on behalf of Surviving Economic Abuse. The crucial charity calls on the government to improve support for victim-survivors and ensure that economic abuse is at the heart of the government’s strategy to halve violence against women and girls in the next decade.
Find out more about Tender’s Strategy for the Next Generation.
Media enquiries
Susie McDonald is available for interview and expert comment. Please direct media enquiries to katevine@tender.org.uk (Mon-Wed) or katedolleymore@tender.org.uk (Thurs-Fri).
