What is Financial Abuse?
Financial abuse is when a person controls the money of another person without their permission. It can take place in any relationship, and is often a hidden form of abuse.
The two most common forms of financial abuse happen either to vulnerable elderly people or in domestic relationships. In some cases the abuse can be unintentional. In other cases it is a wilful act of control. Financial abuse in a romantic relationship is domestic abuse.
Below are some examples of different types of financial abuse. At the bottom you will find contact information for services who support people experiencing financial, domestic or sexual abuse. You can also contact these services if you are worried about someone else experiencing abuse.
Financial abuse in a romantic or domestic relationship can include:
- Taking money from the victim without permission.
- Keeping the victim’s money or credit cards.
- Denying the victim basic necessities like food and clothing.
- Refusing to allow the victim to work and earn their own money.
- Refusing to allow the victim to access education.
- Not paying child allowance.
Examples of financial elder abuse:
- An adult taking control of their elderly parents’ finances without permission.
- An older person being forced to sign documents or change their will.
- An older person being threatened that their care will be stopped if they don’t provide money to a family member or friend.
Other examples of financial abuse:
- Someone who struggles to manage money is offered ‘help’ by a person they know. This person then treats the money as if it were their own.
- A person comes into a large sum of money, through inheritance or winning a prize. Their friends or family attempt to get them to hand over their money.
- A person is forced to hand over their Social Welfare to someone else – to pay an illegal debt or to fund an addiction.
Every person has the right to live free from abuse, and to make their own financial decisions. Every person has the right to use their money for housing, food, light and heat.
Contact information for support services:
Domestic and sexual abuse
Exchange House Ireland
Exchange House Ireland is a national service for Travellers that provides front line and support services to Travellers. Their team includes social workers, family support workers, addiction counsellors, mental health workers, and psychotherapists. They provide support and advice to any vulnerable adults who may be experiencing any form of abuse, including financial abuse.
Phone number: 01 872 1094
Their phoneline is open seven days a week from 9am – 5pm during COVID-19 crisis. Under normal circumstances the phoneline is open from Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm.
For women and children experiencing domestic abuse. Their Freephone Helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone number: 1800 34 19 00
Text service: for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (0879597980) – available daily
Online chat service: www.womensaid.ie available Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 7pm – 10pm
National Rape Crisis Helpline
For women and men who are victims of sexual abuse and harassment. Their Freephone Helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone number: 1800 77 88 88
HSE National Safeguarding Service
Phone number: 1850 24 1850 Monday to Saturday, 8am – 8pm
If you are concerned about the abuse of an elderly or vulnerable adult, you can find out your local support service here: https://www.safeguardingireland.org/contact/
Age Action runs an information service on older people's issues and services throughout Ireland. The information service is open from 9:30am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm, from Monday to Friday.
Phone number: 01 475 6989
If you are experiencing abuse or are concerned for the welfare of someone else, you can also contact:
If you are need immediate assistance call the Gardaí. In an emergency call 999 or 112.
If you are worried about money, and wish to speak to someone confidentially call the MABS Helpline. It is available from Monday to Friday from 9am – 8pm.
Phone number: 0761 07 2000
Citizens Information Phone Service
If you would like to find out more information about your Social Welfare entitlements, call Citizens Information Phone Service. The phone line is open from Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm.
Phone number: 0761 07 4000