Financial neglect in homes is a form of abuse.
Police Prosecutor, Superintendent Shellon Daniels, said this form of economic abuse is not talked about in the public domain and that needs to change.
Speaking during a recent episode of ‘Police & You: Domestic Violence’, Daniels explained that when one partner deliberately withholds financial support, it directly undermines the household’s stability.
“These are the forms of abuse you don’t hear much about, because people may not be open to speak about it and there are no charges laid specifically for such acts. However, systems are in place to ensure that these forms of violence are addressed,” the Superintendent said.
She pointed out instances where one partner contributes little or nothing financially but still expects to benefit from the household’s resources.
“It is common practice that when you are cohabitating there are needs that have to be met and it could only be met with finance. By the mere act of you taking away that empowerment, you actually reduce the person’s ability to support the family, including you,” Daniels explained.
Daniels highlighted that both the Domestic Violence Act and the Family Violence Act provide avenues of redress for persons experiencing financial neglect. One such avenue is applying for maintenance through the courts.
“For example, if you are not getting the finances to support and maintain the home and the family, there are ways and means where you can take out what you call maintenance. Under the Domestic Violence Act, which is now supported by the Family Violence Act, all of that is catered for,” she explained.
With more than 2,000 police officers trained to handle domestic violence cases, Daniels urged persons to make use of the systems in place.
“All we can safely say is to advise persons to utilise those avenues. So if you are home and you know for sure that money is not being filtered into the home one way or another, you are not shut out, there are systems in place,” Daniels assured.
She further explained that while unmarried partners cannot apply for personal maintenance, they are entitled to seek financial support for their children.
“There is redress in the court under the Domestic Violence Act. If you are not married, you might not be able to apply for maintenance for yourself, but you can apply for maintenance for the kids,” the Police Prosecutor emphasised.
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