In a country where SAPS crime statistics show that more than three children and 12 women are murdered daily, the alarming prevalence of abuse against women and children extends far beyond physical violence. Financial abuse, though less visible, remains a powerful and insidious tool of control for many women—even those who earn their own income. As we observe 16 Days Of Activism Against The Abuse Of Women And Children Rynhardt de Lange, Director and Head of Legal at Milaw Legal, financial independence alone is not always enough to protect women from such abuse.
“Financial abuse, which affects more than 50% of women in abusive relationships, cuts across all income levels,” explains De Lange. “Even women who can financially support themselves often face coercive control and manipulation from their partners, leaving them trapped in abusive relationships.”
A 2021 United Nations report found that 38% of women worldwide who earn an income still experience financial control from their partners. In South Africa, this often occurs alongside other forms of abuse, particularly at home, where 40% of women suffer physical assault, according to Stats SA’s Victims of Crime report.
De Lange highlights the most common forms of financial abuse:
- Control over finances: Partners demand access to earnings or bank accounts.
- Sabotage of financial independence: Women are pressured to quit their jobs or are forced to use their income for debts or expenses they did not agree to.
- Emotional manipulation: Tactics like guilt, threats, or coercion strip women of control over their own money.
“When financial abuse is paired with emotional or physical violence, it becomes even harder for victims to leave,” De Lange says. “Even financially independent women face barriers like threats of retaliation, societal stigma, or limited legal options.”
To combat financial abuse, De Lange offers these strategies:
- Recognise the signs: Look out for behaviours such as controlling finances, running up debt in your name, sabotaging financial choices, or refusing to contribute.
- Strengthen legal protections: South African law recognises financial abuse as part of domestic violence. Work with legal professionals to secure your financial autonomy.
- Safeguard your finances: Open separate accounts, build savings, or set up a trust to protect your earnings.
- Report abuse safely: Use confidential channels to seek support from trained legal and law enforcement professionals while minimising the risk of retaliation.
“Financial abuse isn’t always immediately visible, but its effects are deeply damaging,” De Lange emphasises. “At Milaw Legal, we’ve seen how financial control traps women in cycles of dependency, even when they have the means to escape. Real change requires more than just economic empowerment—it calls for practical support systems to help women reclaim their lives and finances.”
