Financial Abuse Often Overlooked, Allstate Canada Survey Finds

What Is Financial Abuse and Why Is It Often Overlooked?

The national survey found that 52% of respondents had currently or previously experienced at least one of seven forms of abuse examined (emotional, verbal, psychological, financial, technology-facilitated, physical, sexual), while 23% had witnessed abuse but not experienced it directly.

But financial abuse is not top of mind when people think about domestic abuse. When asked to define domestic abuse in their own words, only 9% in the survey mentioned financial abuse, compared with 81% who cited physical abuse.  Yet financial abuse is more common than many people realize. According to the Canadian Centre for Women’s Empowerment, 96% of domestic abuse survivors experience financial abuse. This makes the survey findings particularly noteworthy. Among respondents who reported experiencing abuse, 56% identified at least one financially abusive behaviour when presented with specific examples.

That finding surprised Long. "That suggests an opportunity to broaden the conversation and challenge perspectives on domestic abuse,” she says.

Financial abuse is common but can be hard to understand or identify. While some forms can be more obvious, many are subtle and develop over time. Financial abuse can include excluding a partner from financial information, such as bank accounts, bills, investments or major financial decisions; restricting access to money; monitoring or controlling spending; interfering with employment or educational opportunities; creating debt in someone else's name; controlling access to essential resources like transportation or childcare; or manipulating benefits, inheritance or shared assets.

“Financial abuse can be harder to recognize, even though it can have a deep impact on a person's independence, choices and ability to seek safety,” says Long.

And while it can affect people from all backgrounds, research shows it disproportionately affects certain populations. According to the Government of Canada, women experiencing intimate partner violence, Indigenous women and women with disabilities, as well as 2SLGBTQI+ people, experience financial abuse more often. Financial abuse is the most common form of mistreatment of older people in Canada. 

This form of abuse not only has financial consequences – such as damaged credit, restricted access to bank accounts, money taken without permission and forced surrender of paycheques, as well as impacts on employment – but lasting effects can be stress-related physical illnesses such as weakened immune systems, and heart or stomach issues. Mental health effects can include depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

How Financial Barriers Can Complicate Paths to Safety

According to the survey, finances are not only a major category of mistreatment, but they’re also the leading perceived barrier to finding safety. Seventy-eight percent of respondents said not having enough money to support themselves or their children would make it extremely or very difficult for someone experiencing domestic abuse to seek safety. Other factors affecting someone’s ability to seek safety from domestic abuse included fear of further abuse, difficulty finding safe housing and fear of threats against victims, relatives or pets. Other perceived barriers included shame, fear that no one would believe the victim and not knowing where to find helpWhen it came to finding help, about one in five respondents who had experienced abuse said they had not sought support for any of it. Non-profit organizations were rated most helpful in supporting victims, followed by social-service agencies. When asked which organizations could help end domestic abuse, respondents rated social-service agencies first at 46%, then non-profits at 44%, followed by government at 32%.

Why Financial Abuse Awareness Matters

A stated area of focus for the Allstate Foundation of Canada is to disrupt the cycle of domestic abuse in Canada. The purpose of this research was to help understand the general public’s awareness of and attitudes towards domestic abuse, and use what was learned to help inform awareness efforts, partnerships and actions that can support survivors and reduce barriers to safety.

“That's why conversations like this are so important,” says Long. “The more we talk about financial abuse, share research and learn from organizations aiding survivors every day, the better equipped we are to recognize the signs and understand the challenges many survivors face.”

The report calls for better financial-abuse education, lessened stigma and clearer routes to assistance.

“For The Allstate Foundation of Canada, this research reinforces the importance of helping people better understand the different ways abuse can show up, and the barriers survivors can face,” says Long.

Learn more about The Allstate Foundation of Canada’s domestic abuse initiatives and community partners: https://www.allstate.ca/resources/in-our-community/allstate-disrupting-the-cycle-of-domestic-abuse.

Support is available

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, confidential support is available: https://canadianwomen.org/support-services/.

About this research

The online survey was conducted from March 16 to April 1, 2026, among 2,510 Canadian adults aged 18 and older, with questionnaires available in English and French.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or professional advice. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, support is available through local and national organizations. In an emergency, contact local emergency services.