INSIGHTS

Economic security and intimate partner violence

This synthesis focuses on the nexus of women’s safety and women’s economic security.

Primarily drawing on ANROWS research addressing the relationship between economic security and intimate partner violence, it pays particular attention to what the economic stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have revealed about this relationship, and also covers the harms of financial and economic abuse.

Additional issues addressed in the synthesis include:

• the negative economic impact that intimate partner violence has on victims and survivors
• women’s economic equality and workforce participation as essential components of women’s economic security, and their safety
• women’s economic dependence on perpetrators as a significant barrier to leaving
• the strong link between housing insecurity and economic insecurity
• the relationship between the social security system and women’s ability to leave violent relationships.

The synthesis is useful for policymakers and practice design decision-makers engaging with people affected by domestic, family and sexual violence and economic insecurity. It is also relevant for those who are developing policy frameworks addressing the intersection of domestic, family and sexual violence with housing, employment, social security and related issues.

 

 

Suggested citation

Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety. (2022). Economic security and intimate partner violence: Research synthesis. ANROWS.