Expert to highlight the hidden problem of financial abuse News

Dr Nicola Sharp-Jeffs will be presenting her research at Durham University and at Cardiff to raise awareness of financial abuse.

Date: 23 March 2017

Dr Nicola Sharp-Jeffs, Research Fellow in the Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit (CWASU), has been invited to present her research at Durham University on 24 April.

Based on her research, the talk will cover research, funded by The Cooperative Bank and undertaken in partnership with Refuge, into the extent and nature of financial abuse within intimate relationships in the UK.

Dr Sharp-Jeffs said: “One in five women report experiencing financial abuse from a current/former intimate partner. For the vast majority, the abuse spanned more than five years and involved the control, exploitation and sabotage of their financial resources.”

With over a decade’s experience working in the violence against women and girls sector, Nicola’s research indicates that women experience financial abuse most often within intimate relationships alongside other forms of abuse, the effects of which can be devastating and long term.

Nicola will also be presenting at a seminar in Cardiff about ‘Tackling Financial Abuse’ held on 31 March, which is invite only. The event will bring together frontline workers from banks, financial services, credit reference agencies and related stakeholders to discuss how services can come together to tackle financial abuse, and to learn from best practice. Guest speakers also include Eleri Butler, Chief Executive of Welsh Women’s Aid; Steve Bartley, Safeguarding and Access to Justice Programme Lead for the Older People’s Commissioner; and Hugh Stickland, Chief Economist for Citizens Advice.