Domestic violence (DV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) are pervasive human rights violations that affect millions of individuals worldwide. While these forms of violence can occur across all socioeconomic groups, research consistently shows that socioeconomic risk factors play a significant role in increasing the likelihood of DV and IPV.
In fact, financial stress may be the most important risk factor for domestic abuse. Understanding the relationship between domestic violence and income is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies and support systems for survivors experiencing financial disadvantages.
The Connection Between Poverty and Partner Violence
The connection between low socioeconomic status and violence as a whole has been well documented, and it’s no surprise that there is also a significant correlation between domestic violence and poverty. Individuals and families living in poverty experience severely constrained resources and heightened levels of stress, which can exacerbate tensions within relationships. Financial strain often leads to conflict over money, housing, and other basic needs, especially during the winter holiday season and summer months.
Financial insecurity often also limits a victim’s ability to leave an abusive relationship, as they may lack the resources to secure independent housing, legal assistance, or child care. This instability can easily compound itself, given that abuse can make getting and keeping a stable job more difficult for survivors.
Education and Socioeconomic Status
Education level is a factor closely linked to socioeconomic status and the risk of IPV. Individuals with lower levels of education are more likely to have limited employment opportunities. This often leads to lower income and a greater likelihood of living in poverty, increasing their risk for IPV.
Limited education in and of itself is also a risk factor for IPV, as individuals with lower education levels may have less access to the kinds of resources that could help them leave abusive relationships, such as legal assistance or social services. They may also suffer from lower self-esteem and feel that they are less eligible or deserving of respectful, responsible, and socioeconomically successful partners.
Further, survivors with lower educational attainment may be less aware of the many ways that societal norms and structures reinforce the gender inequalities in which DV is rooted. As a result, they may internalize and identify with harmful gender stereotypes. These survivors may, in turn, be less motivated or equipped to advocate for their own civil rights and best interests as well as those of their children.
Unemployment and Economic Disadvantage
Unemployment is another critical socioeconomic factor that contributes to the risk of DV and IPV. When individuals or their partners are unemployed, the resulting financial insecurity can lead to feelings of inadequacy, frustration, and hopelessness. These emotions can manifest as
aggression or violence within intimate relationships, regardless of which partner is unemployed.
Housing Instability and Disadvantaged Neighborhoods
Housing instability, often a by-product of economic hardship, is another significant socioeconomic risk factor for DV and IPV. Families facing eviction or homelessness experience extreme stress, which can lead to increased domestic conflict and violence. The lack of stable housing also makes it difficult for victims to escape abusive relationships, as shelters and transitional housing may be overcrowded or inaccessible.
Living in low-income housing in underinvested neighborhoods is another byproduct of financial strain. Although the exact reasons for it are complex, research shows that women who live in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods are more likely to experience partner violence. It may also be more difficult for survivors to get help in these areas, as residents are often less socially involved with one another and there is typically a heavier overall burden on first responders.
Economic Dependency and Control
Economic dependency is a form of control often used by abusers to maintain power over their victims. Given that financial abuse occurs in 99% of all DV cases, it can easily coincide with economic hardship. In relationships where the abuser controls the finances, the survivor may feel trapped and unable to leave their abuser because of a lack of financial resources. This dependency is particularly common in relationships where there is a significant disparity in income or access to economic resources.
Socioeconomic risk factors significantly increase the likelihood of DV and IPV in a variety of ways. By addressing these factors through targeted interventions, we can help reduce the prevalence of violence in intimate relationships and support survivors in their journey toward safety and independence. For example, it’s vital that DV shelters offer services that help survivors to gain or regain financial independence so that they are less likely to experience economic hardship and financial abuse.
Protect Financially Vulnerable Domestic Abuse Survivors With CAWC
At Connections for Abused Women and Their Children (CAWC), we believe that everyone has a right to a life free of violence. Our mission to end DV in all demographics is rooted in education, service, and advocacy. In addition to working toward broader social change, we provide empowerment-based and trauma-informed support in the form of shelter, counseling, and advocacy for individuals affected by IPV and their children.
If you or someone you know is actively experiencing the impacts of sexual violence, don’t hesitate to call our 24-hour hotline at 773-278-4566. For non-emergency support, reach out through our contact form today.
Want to help us protect more survivors and children? You can impact the life of a DV survivor or a child who witnessed DV by donating to CAWC today or by supporting our work in other ways.