Economic abuse is a form of family violence that uses coercive, controlling, and threatening behaviour to restrict or remove a person’s financial freedom, autonomy, and security. 

Some early insights from this work were released in November 2024 as part of an International Economic Abuse Awareness Day event, and we’re excited to now be releasing the report in full.

Economic abuse is a relatively recent area of study. We are privileged to add this report to the body of knowledge about such an important subject. Our research used data from the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges and Good Shepherd’s Economic Harm Service to illustrate the variety and extent of economic abuse experienced by women — often alongside physical violence, emotional abuse, gaslighting and other harmful behaviours. 

We found that over the course of a year, 60% of Women’s Refuge clients who completed a risk assessment identified they had experienced at least one form of economic harm. Most (72%) reported being excluded from decisions about shared or household money, and a similar number (68%) reported being stopped from having their own money. Good Shepherd New Zealand clients also reported economic restriction and control, and forced or coerced debt. There was an average of $22,000 of debt per person, and the majority held multiple debts with one or more creditor. The impact of this can be devastating, and can affect financial wellbeing long after the relationship is over. 

Women interviewed discussed how houses, children, and the legal system were weaponised against them after leaving the relationship — burning them out emotionally and pushing them further into financial hardship. For others, the impacts of high-cost debt were compounded by the challenges of a ruined credit score, housing insecurity, and difficulty re-entering the job market. 

Many clients interviewed said they found it hard to imagine a future, but they were hopeful about looking forward to the simple things in life, such as a home, happy children, a job, and being debt free. We will continue to play our part in supporting women to be lifted out of harm and hardship and into better financial wellbeing. 

A heartfelt thank you to former Good Shepherd clients who participated in interviews for this research project. We’re so grateful for your trust and insights. And thank you to the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges for providing us with their data to help us understand the economic harm their clients experience.

Read the full report and a suite of companion resources