It’s important to know how to spot financial abuse in a relationship so that you can protect yourself. This type of abuse is quite common. And often, it can lead to emotional or physical abuse. Know how to spot the warning signs of this in a partner. For example, if they are interfering with your work. In addition, if they are very controlling about shared assets, it’s a danger sign. And finally, if they are acting nosy or secretive, it’s time to look further and see what’s going on. A partner that respects you should also respect your financial privacy and independence.
How to Spot Financial Abuse in a Relationship: Warning Signs
What is Financial Abuse in a Relationship?
Financial abuse is a way for abusers to control their victims via money. This often means controlling their victims’ money so that they’re dependent on them financially. It also often involves limiting access to money or stealing money from their victims. Anything that your partner does that leaves you feeling like you are no longer financially independent could be a warning sign.
Red Flag: Interfering with Your Work
One way to identify financial abuse is if your partner is trying to interfere with your job. They might be overly critical of your job or co-workers. They might question why you work and suggest that you quit. Many abusers don’t want their partners to have jobs at all. This makes their partners completely dependent on them for all their money.
Red Flag: Controlling Shared Assets
Another way to identify financial abuse is if your partner is controlling shared assets. If you have joint bank accounts, but you don’t have full access to them, ask yourself why not. Or if your partner is overly critical about the ways that you spend money. Needing to justify every penny you spend is not a sign of a healthy partnership.
Red Flag: Secretive or Nosy Behavior
Finally, financial abuse is often surrounded by secretive and nosy behavior. If your partner is looking at your phone or emails, it’s an invasion of privacy. If they change accounts or move money around without talking to you about it, you might want to investigate further. Even in a long-term relationship, both partners should have some financial control.
The long-term goal of the financial abuser is to make their partner fully reliant on them for everything. This makes their victim less likely to leave them, even if the abuse gets worse. If you suspect financial abuse in your relationship, seek the help of a trusted friend. Or a therapist can give you a second opinion on the behavior. Watch out for partners trying to interfere with your job. It can also be a warning sign if your partner is too controlling over your money. Or if you need to justify every dollar spent. And finally, if they are being secretive and invading your privacy, it can be a red flag. Hopefully, you’ll be able to identify financial abuse early on and get out of the relationship before things escalate.