New analysis has uncovered a stark link between economic abuse and fatalities, with one victim dying every 19 days across England and Wales. The study, conducted by the charity Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA), examined more than 400 Domestic Homicide Reviews spanning from 2012 to 2024. It found that in cases involving both economic abuse and intimate partner violence, a death occurred approximately every three weeks.
Understanding Economic Abuse
Economic abuse is defined as controlling a person's income, spending, bank accounts, and access to essential resources such as transport, food, and clothing. This form of abuse often goes unrecognised but can have devastating consequences. The research highlights that over half of the reviewed cases, specifically 51 per cent, involved economic abuse within intimate partner violence contexts.
Victim Demographics and Identification Gaps
The analysis revealed that the majority of victims were female, with male perpetrators being predominant. However, a significant concern raised by the study is that review panels frequently failed to identify economic abuse in these cases. This oversight underscores the need for improved awareness and training among professionals working in domestic violence and homicide prevention.
Calls for Urgent Action
Experts are urging immediate measures to address this critical issue. They emphasise that economic abuse is a significant risk factor for both homicide and suicide, making it vital to enhance recognition and response strategies. Recommendations include better training for law enforcement, social workers, and healthcare providers to spot signs of economic control and intervene effectively.
The findings stress the importance of integrating economic abuse into broader domestic violence frameworks to save lives and support victims more comprehensively.
