Marzena never had to worry about money. After the wedding, her husband told her that she was his princess and wants her to feel safe. “I will earn everything,” he said when he advised her to return to work and encouraged her to take care of the house. After a few years, she realized that “everything” also meant control over her. She had no access to the account, she couldn’t even buy sanitary napkins. When she began to rebel, each time she heard aggressive statements that she had everything she needed to live and everyone would like to be in her place. Only the conversation with her friend made her realize that what was happening is not care. It’s violence.
How to recognize economic violence? Slow tightening of the loop around the neck
Economic violence, also called financial, is a subtle but destructive form of control. It touches both women and men, step by step taking their independence. He does not leave traces on the body, but deeply hurts the psyche. Initially, it looks innocent – the partner “for convenience” takes over the management of the household budget, encourages to resign from work, ensures that he cares for the common good. Over time, however, care turns into complete control. Access to money becomes a privilege, each zloty requires justification, and a request for its own funds ends with ejection. He loses financial independence, and with it, a sense of agency and freedom.
Economic violence has serious consequences. As indicated by the portal of osodkrzprzżanan.com people who experience it often:
- they lose self -esteem,
- They are afraid to leave because they have no means of life,
- They fall into debts if the perpetrator takes loans in their name,
- They experience depression and anxiety disorders.
In an interview with Bankier.pl, Urszula Nowakowska, founder of the Women’s Rights Center, emphasized that reliable statistics on economic violence are difficult to obtain. In Poland, the awareness of this phenomenon still remains low, which means that many people do not identify their situation as a form of violence. Studies conducted in 2007 at the request of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy showed that as much as 16 percent experienced phenomena. women. As for men, cases were much rarer and concerned mainly seniors.
What behaviors are economic violence? Pay attention to “red flags”
Not every situation in which one partner manages finances means violence. The difference lies in the intention. If one person has full control over money and limits the other, then the warning signal. What behaviors do we need to watch out for?
- Secreting money for basic needs,
- prohibiting work,
- taking over the earnings of the partner,
- controlling each expenditure,
- forcing to sign loans.
In many cases, there is also a “syndrome of boiling frog”, when the situation is getting worse gradually, the victim does not notice that the border has been crossed. At the end there is only fear and belief that “I can’t handle it without him”.
What threatens for financial violence? It is worth gathering evidence that will confirm it
As noted by legal councilor Anna Kubica, Polish law still does not treat economic violence as a separate crime. However, in some cases it may be considered a mental abuse (Article 207 of the Penal Code), for which he faces from 3 months to 5 years in prison. In addition, if the perpetrator is evading the financial obligation to the family, he may be responsible for non -alimentation (Article 209 of the Penal Code), which is associated with a fine, limitation of freedom or even a penalty of up to 2 years imprisonment.
Remember: to report economic violence, it is important to have evidence. These can be messages and emails in which the partner prohibits access to money, recordings of conversations (if they are lawful), as well as account extracts or transaction confirmation. It is also worth gathering testimonies of loved ones – friends, families who can confirm the situation. The more materials, the greater the chance of effective financial proven.
Do you experience domestic violence? Are you looking for help? For example, you can report to the nationwide ambulance for victims of violence in the “Blue Line” family. The free hotline is open 24 hours a day by phone 800 12 00 02. More information can be found on this.
If there is a threat to life – call the emergency number 112.
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Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
