Charity urges people to recognise red flags of economic abuse
The most common sign is unwillingness to discuss money
Last updated 18th Aug 2025
The charity Surviving Economic Abuse is calling on people in Swindon and across the UK to think critically about the financial behaviours their partners are showing.
According to their data, two in five people between the ages of 18 – 24 experienced at least one form of economically abuse behaviour in the last year.
Almost half of them (46%) claimed they did not ask for help because they were in denial and an additional 43% said it was because they felt overwhelmed.
Kate Rowland, CEO of Swindon charity Society Without Abuse, said: “It can be really hidden, partly because of our attitudes to money. Culturally, we don't talk about money, we tend to keep things private.
“We still have a culture in some families where, you know, one partner is more in control of the money. Maybe more traditionally, the man of the house is more in control of funds and that's kind of accepted as being a little bit normal”.
New data from Experian reveals that more than 70% of people do not consider themselves confident in their ability to identify red flags in relationships and over half of people (52%) have admitted to having ignored red flags in a past or current relationship.
To spread awareness, Surviving Economic Abuse have created a list of the most common financial red flags to look out for:
- Unwillingness to discuss money when you try bringing it up (32%)
- Your partner makes you feel guilty if you spend money on yourself (21%)
- Your partner refuses to talk about household bills or hides information about them (17%)
- Your partner regularly reviews your financial statements and transactions (15%)
- Your partner forces you to buy things they want or spend beyond your means (12%)
- Frequently late payments (purposefully) (11%)
Ms Rowland also stressed that people should be able to talk openly about the household’s finances, especially if living together or in a committed relationship.
“It can be really complex because economically abusive behaviours – like other controlling behaviours – can start with things that seem very small and seem very innocent and then grow. And it's kind of realising that that's happening can be very, very challenging.
“We know that what we call love bombing can be quite common in relationships. So, the abusive partner, being very generous sometimes and buying gifts. And then what can seem like innocent things at first like ‘Oh, I'll, I'll pay your phone bill for you’, ‘I'll get a phone for you’ can actually then lead into that situation being an abusive one, where your access to that is controlled, taken away or used in a in a more abusive way”.
Anyone who feels like they might be in an economically or otherwise abusive situation can contact national help lines and local helplines for advice.