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Report published on the Legal Rights and Remedies for Economic Abuse

Domestic abuse is a multi-faceted concept, within which “financial abuse” and “economic abuse” are forms of domestic manipulation and exploitation which rarely receive much attention.  However, our solicitors know from our clients, that such abuse can be devastating and can have long-lasting effects even after someone has left the abuser.

Lawyers with Miles and Partners recently contributed their experiences to an important report entitled Legal Rights and Remedies for Economic Abuse by the Hogan Lovells pro bono unit and the charity Surviving Economic Abuse.

The terms “financial abuse” and “economic abuse” broadly mean that an abuser has manipulated another person’s access to finances and assets. The abuser influences a victim’s decision-making so as to foster control over the victim and ensure the victim’s dependence on the abuser.

Unfortunately, there is no definitive route of redress that will meet the needs of every victim of abuse.

This report explores how the civil and criminal justice systems in England and Wales provide remedies to victims of financial and economic abuse. By reviewing current legal frameworks, the authors hope to find creative solutions and make several recommendations. It will also be useful for professionals working within the field.

Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) is the only UK charity dedicated to raising awareness of economic abuse and transforming responses to it. The charity works day in, day out to ensure that women are supported not only to survive, but also to thrive. Information and resources for those supporting someone experiencing economic abuse can be found on www.survivingeconomicabuse.org

The contents of this article are for the purposes of general awareness only. They do not purport to constitute legal or professional advice. The law may have changed since this article was published. Readers should not act on the basis of the information included and should take appropriate professional advice upon their own particular circumstances.