A charity has found that economic abuse from an intimate partner contributes to one death from homicide or suicide every 19 days in the UK. Surviving Economic Abuse (Sea) analysed 454 domestic homicide reviews conducted between 2012 and 2024, discovering that in 231 cases the victim had experienced economic abuse from a current or ex-partner.
The charity's report, 'Hidden Risk, Fatal Consequences: Economic Abuse in Domestic Homicide Reviews', found that economic abuse was a factor in more than half of domestic abuse-related deaths but is often misunderstood or overlooked by professionals. Fewer than half of the panels investigating domestic homicides had recognised the economic abuse themselves.
Sea's chief executive Sam Smethers said the findings likely underestimate the prevalence of economic abuse. She noted that economic abuse prevents victims from escaping dangerous situations and can continue long after a relationship ends. The charity recommended integrating economic abuse into government guidance on domestic abuse risk management and training professionals to recognise it.
The report highlighted cases such as Anna* and her children, who have been homeless since 2008 due to her ex-partner's abuse. He stole her money, sold her belongings, and prevented her from working. Anna said the financial control was deliberate and never-ending, and she was 'not at all surprised' by the report's findings, having considered suicide herself.
Frank Mullane of Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse said the report unveils significant gaps in professionals' knowledge. When his sister was killed over 20 years ago, she had experienced economic abuse, but at the time there was no language to name it. He hopes recommendations will lead to better recognition and intervention.
