Children across the UK are facing hunger and having their pocket money stolen as a direct result of economic abuse within families, according to alarming new research.
The charity Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) commissioned the study, which it says exposes a "hidden crisis harming children across the UK". Economic abuse occurs when a person's money, employment, or other economic resources are controlled by a partner or ex-partner, and this abuse is increasingly targeting children's security directly.
The Scale of the Problem
An Ipsos UK survey of over 2,800 women and 2,200 men in October revealed disturbing figures. It found that more than a quarter (27%) of mothers with children under 18 had experienced economic abuse in the past year.
The impacts on children are severe and multifaceted. One in six mothers (17%) reported they could not provide essential items like food or clothing for their children due to this abuse. Furthermore, a fifth (20%) said they feared for their children's safety or wellbeing because of their partner's economically abusive behaviour.
Mental health is a major casualty, with 14% of affected mothers stating their child's poor mental health was a direct result of the abuse.
Direct Targeting of Children's Finances
The research highlights how perpetrators specifically aim their control at children's own resources. One in six (16%) victim-survivors with young children said a current or ex-partner had stolen money from their child, including birthday or pocket money.
The same proportion (16%) reported that a partner had stopped, or tried to stop, them accessing benefit payments meant for them or their children.
Sam Smethers, chief executive of SEA, stated: "Economic abuse is a dangerous form of coercive control and children are being harmed by it every day. Our research shows that perpetrators are stealing children’s pocket money, stopping mums accessing child benefit, and refusing to pay child support."
Personal Testimonies and Long-Term Scars
The charity shared powerful testimonies illustrating the daily reality. One woman described how her former partner "would stop maintenance payments right before Christmas".
She explained the impossible task of shielding her children: "However much you might try to shield your kids, they know when the house is freezing, they know when they can’t go on school trips, they know that we’re one surprise bill away from a food bank."
Her son, now an adult, recalled the painful awareness of food scarcity. "Even though mum would do her best to protect us, she wasn’t able to hide the fact that the cupboards and fridge weren’t as full as they usually were," he said. "I’ve deliberately left food on my plate, knowing that would be all that she ate that day."
Sources of Support and Safety
Banks and building societies are highlighted as potential sources of support for those experiencing economic abuse. Financial institutions are training staff to recognise signs and offer discreet help.
Kathryn Townsend, head of customer vulnerability at Nationwide Building Society, said: "This latest research... is extremely worrying. It’s important that anyone affected by economic abuse knows where to go to get support."
Nationwide provides online resources and has over 400 branches offering safe spaces for confidential conversations. Their frontline teams are trained to spot abuse signs and provide tailored help.
TSB bank offers a "flee fund" to help domestic abuse victims pay for essential items. They also advise on practical steps to regain financial control, which can include:
- Regularly clearing online browsing history.
- Monitoring credit reports for suspicious activity.
- Changing PINs and passwords frequently.
- Ensuring post with sensitive information is sent to a secure address.
The findings underscore that economic abuse is a pervasive form of domestic abuse with profound and lasting consequences for the youngest and most vulnerable members of the family.
