Single mothers across the UK are being plunged into financial turmoil as ex-partners exploit loopholes in the child maintenance system, leaving them trapped in cycles of abuse and deprivation.
Shocking new research reveals how abusive former partners are weaponising the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) to control and punish women long after relationships end. Tactics include deliberately under-reporting incomes, suddenly cancelling payments, or vanishing altogether – leaving mums struggling to feed their children.
A System Failing Vulnerable Families
Campaigners describe the CMS as "not fit for purpose" when dealing with financial abuse cases. Unlike other government agencies, the service fails to share crucial information with domestic abuse charities or social services, meaning patterns of coercive control often go undetected.
"This is economic abuse dressed up as administrative failure," says Dr. Emma Williamson from Women's Aid. "Perpetrators know exactly how to game the system to maintain power over their victims."
Real Stories of Survival
Sarah*, a mother of two from Manchester, described how her ex-husband – a high-earning accountant – manipulated his self-assessment to pay just £30 per week for their children: "He drives a Porsche but claims he's broke. Meanwhile I'm skipping meals so the kids can eat."
Other common tactics include:
- Quitting stable jobs for cash-in-hand work
- Transferring assets to new partners
- Refusing to complete CMS paperwork
- Making false allegations to delay proceedings
Calls for Urgent Reform
Domestic abuse charities are demanding:
- Automatic information sharing between CMS and support services
- Stronger powers to investigate suspected income fraud
- Faster enforcement measures against non-payers
- Specialist training for CMS staff on coercive control
A government spokesperson said: "We recognise more must be done to protect victims of financial abuse" but campaigners argue action is needed now before more families are pushed into poverty.
