UK Child Abuse Crisis Deepens as Nearly 4 Million Suffer Economic Exploitation
A shocking new report by Surviving Economic Abuse charity has revealed that nearly four million UK children are facing devastating economic abuse in their homes, leaving many without access to basic necessities. The study found that 27% of mothers with children under the age of 18 experienced some form of economic abuse at the hands of a partner or former partner.
In extreme cases, perpetrators have resorted to manipulating financial systems to control and exploit their victims, including withholding child benefits, denying parents access to bank accounts, and refusing to pay child maintenance. The result is that thousands of children are missing out on essential items like clothes and food due to the actions of those supposed to protect them.
One in six mothers reported that their ex-partner had stolen money from their child, while a third of those who experienced economic abuse by an ex-partner said they were denied child support or received it unreliably. This is not only causing emotional distress but also leaving families in dire financial situations.
The charity's chief executive, Sam Smethers, has called for urgent action to tackle the issue, emphasizing that economic abuse is a form of coercive control that can cause irreparable harm to children every day. The charity is pushing for stricter laws and measures to prevent abusers from manipulating systems, such as child maintenance, to destroy lives.
What's alarming is that mothers with children are three times more likely to be victims of economic abuse than women without kids. This highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to address this form of abuse and prioritize its prevention. The government has promised to tackle this issue as part of its goal to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.
However, critics argue that the current laws are inadequate and allow abusers to exploit vulnerable families without consequences. As one mother quoted in the report aptly puts it, "My ex would stop maintenance payments right before Christmas." The devastating impact of economic abuse on children's lives cannot be overstated, and it is imperative that policymakers take immediate action to protect these innocent victims.
A shocking new report by Surviving Economic Abuse charity has revealed that nearly four million UK children are facing devastating economic abuse in their homes, leaving many without access to basic necessities. The study found that 27% of mothers with children under the age of 18 experienced some form of economic abuse at the hands of a partner or former partner.
In extreme cases, perpetrators have resorted to manipulating financial systems to control and exploit their victims, including withholding child benefits, denying parents access to bank accounts, and refusing to pay child maintenance. The result is that thousands of children are missing out on essential items like clothes and food due to the actions of those supposed to protect them.
One in six mothers reported that their ex-partner had stolen money from their child, while a third of those who experienced economic abuse by an ex-partner said they were denied child support or received it unreliably. This is not only causing emotional distress but also leaving families in dire financial situations.
The charity's chief executive, Sam Smethers, has called for urgent action to tackle the issue, emphasizing that economic abuse is a form of coercive control that can cause irreparable harm to children every day. The charity is pushing for stricter laws and measures to prevent abusers from manipulating systems, such as child maintenance, to destroy lives.
What's alarming is that mothers with children are three times more likely to be victims of economic abuse than women without kids. This highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to address this form of abuse and prioritize its prevention. The government has promised to tackle this issue as part of its goal to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.
However, critics argue that the current laws are inadequate and allow abusers to exploit vulnerable families without consequences. As one mother quoted in the report aptly puts it, "My ex would stop maintenance payments right before Christmas." The devastating impact of economic abuse on children's lives cannot be overstated, and it is imperative that policymakers take immediate action to protect these innocent victims.
Like, who knew economic abuse was still a thing in the 21st century? I mean, isn't that just... partner-ing with some drama? 
Anyway, 4 million kids suffering from economic abuse is, like, totally not okay. I'm all for stricter laws and stuff to prevent abusers from messing with financial systems. It's like, basic human decency right?
But seriously, I hope the gov does take this seriously and passes some good laws ASAP. It's not just about economic abuse, but also emotional distress and financial struggles for families.
It's like, basic human rights, you know? Let's hope the gov doesn't mess this up 
This economic abuse thingy is so messed up... I mean, who wants their kid to go hungry or without clothes just 'cause a parent can't control themselves? 
4 million kids are already suffering and it's all because someone thought they could manipulate the system. It's not even like it's a secret anymore, people need to step up and do something about it... I feel so bad for those moms who got taken advantage of, it's just heartbreaking. 
The gov needs to take action ASAP and make sure there are stricter laws in place to prevent this kind of abuse from happening. We can't keep letting this slide, especially when it comes to our own kids 
this is so shocking i keep thinking about all those kids who dont get the clothes they need or food because some grown ups are too messed up to care ... its not just physical abuse we're talking about here, its like emotional & financial control which is super damaging 
policymakers really gotta step up their game and create laws that can actually stop this kind of abuse from happening
. We need to do better, like now. Stricter laws and support for victims are a must 
. Can't believe the government is promising to tackle this in 10 years though - that's an eternity for some families 
. It's like, how can someone who's supposed to be a parent be controlling their kid's access to basic stuff like clothes and food? 
It's just heartbreaking.
This news is just heartbreaking. Nearly 4 million kids in the UK are going through this, and it's all because their own family members can't seem to get their act together. I mean, come on, withholding child benefits or denying parents access to bank accounts? That's just ridiculous! 
It's like they think they're above the law or something. The fact that mothers with kids are three times more likely to be victims of economic abuse than women without kids is a clear indication that we need stricter laws and better support systems for these families. We can't just sit back and watch our children suffer because their own family members are too lazy or manipulative to step up. It's time for policymakers to take immediate action and make some real changes! 
. Four million kids can't just disappear because their parents are struggling financially... it's like, what even is going on? 
And the worst part is that these kids don't deserve it. They're just innocent victims who didn't do anything to deserve this kind of treatment.
.
can u even believe 4 million kids in the UK are being literally starved & left with nothing? its like a whole country has turned into a war zone for families 
. like, we need to get this message out there - mothers with kids are NOT weak, they're STRONGER! & their babies need our PROTECTION, not our silence 
not just pretty words. lets make some noise, folks! #JusticeForVictimsOfEconomicAbuse