Economic abuse primarily aims to achieve what outcome?

• A. Create economic dependence by controlling money and resources
• B. Increase access to credit
• C. Improve survivor independence
• D. Provide financial planning resources

Answer: (A)

Economic abuse is about using money and assets to maintain power and control in a relationship. The main goal is to create economic dependence, so the survivor relies on the abuser for money, housing, transportation, and basic needs. By restricting access to income, employment, savings, or credit, the abuser limits options and makes leaving or seeking safety much harder. This control over finances strengthens overall control and can trap someone in an unsafe situation.

The other ideas don’t align with this aim. Increasing access to credit or providing financial planning resources would more likely support independence, which is opposite to the tactic of economic abuse. The idea of improving survivor independence is the opposite outcome of what economic abuse seeks, and so is the notion of offering financial planning resources.