Domestic Abuse: The Hidden Danger of Coercion and Financial Control

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Domestic abuse is not just physical violence.

Survivors often face coercion, financial manipulation, and economic abuse that trap them in dangerous situations, sometimes long after leaving the abuser.

The UK Government’s £5 million funding boost for pilot schemes is an important step, but the scale of the problem shows why systemic support is urgently needed.

The Law: What Protects Survivors

• Coercive control became a criminal offence in 2015 under the Serious Crime Act. It includes threats, intimidation, isolation, and controlling everyday life

• Financial and economic abuse is recognised under domestic abuse law: restricting access to money, controlling child maintenance, or blocking employment are all forms of abuse

• Cuts to legal aid in 2012 drastically reduced survivors’ access to legal advice, leaving many to navigate divorce, separation, and child arrangements alone, often under continued abuse.

The Scale: Alarming Statistics

• 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men experience coercive control in England and Wales

• Over 50% of domestic abuse survivors report financial or economic abuse

• Lifetime prevalence: 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse

• Around 60% of victims disengage from criminal proceedings due to fear or stress, allowing abusers to evade accountability

• Most domestic homicide victims are killed post-separation, often linked to disputes over children or financial control.

Why This Funding is Needed

The UK Government is piloting schemes in Wiltshire, Dorset, Yorkshire and Humber, Merseyside, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight to help victims navigate the criminal justice system.

Positive steps include:-

• Victims meet prosecutors before trials to understand the process

• More domestic abuse liaison officers to guide and support survivors

• Amplifying victims’ voices reduces dropout from criminal proceedings and increases prosecution rates

Challenges remain however:-

• Many survivors still lack legal advice for divorce, child arrangements, or child maintenance disputes

• Court processes remain stressful and re-traumatising, even with support

• Funding gaps for refuges and specialist services remain critical

The Reality

Coercion, financial, and economic abuse are often the biggest factors keeping victims trapped. Survivors need protection, support, and a voice, not just temporary funding boosts.

Better prosecution, pilot schemes, and increased awareness show abusers they cannot hide behind legal loopholes or closed doors.

Key Facts

• Coercive control: Criminal offence since 2015; traps 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men

• Financial & economic abuse: Affects over 50% of survivors; includes controlling money, child maintenance, or employment

• Post-separation abuse: Most deadly; most domestic homicide victims are killed after leaving

• Cuts to legal aid (2012): Left thousands facing divorce, child arrangements, or court alone

• 60% of victims drop out of criminal proceedings due to fear, letting abusers escape justice

The Way Forward

Pilot schemes are a positive step, but survivors need systemic support:-

• Access to legal advice

• Adequate refuge and specialist services

• Trauma-informed courts and prosecution

• Recognition and enforcement of coercion and financial abuse

Domestic abuse isn’t just physical,  coercion and financial control are deadly.

Survivors deserve protection, justice, and the power to reclaim their lives.

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Deanna Newell Family Law

Advocacy for truth-tellers, survivors, and the children who deserve better