It occurs when an abuser restricts a person’s ability to acquire, use and maintain money or other economic resources. This can include: Refusing to let the survivor open a bank account. Controlling how survivors use their income or benefits.

“the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation.”

Social violence refers to any type of violence committed by individuals or the community that has a social impact. Exposure to violence can be direct (e.g., being the victim of a violent act) or indirect (e.g., hearing about violence or witnessing violence involving others).

Older people, particularly people with dementia, are among those at greatest risk of financial abuse. Indications are that 60–80 per cent of financial abuse against older people takes place in the home and 15–20 per cent in residential care (Help the Aged 2008).

Financial abuse can leave women with no money for basic essentials such as food and clothing. It can leave them without access to their own bank accounts, with no access to any independent income and with debts that have been built up by abusive partners set against their names.

Financial abuse is one form of domestic abuse. Withholding money, stealing money, and restricting the use of finances are some examples of financial abuse. To figure out if your partner is financially abusing you, think about how you are being treated by answering the following questions.

But financial elder abuse under California criminal statutes does include acts of theft, embezzlement, forgery and financial fraud. A conviction of a felony related to elder financial abuse may carry a prison sentence of two to four years in prison and fines, in addition to having to give up the stolen assets.

Financial abuse might look like:

1. Borrowing money and not giving it back.
2. Stealing money or belongings.
3. Taking pension payments or other benefit away from someone.
4. Taking money as payment for coming to visit or spending time together.
5. Forcing someone to sell their home or assets without consent.

Financial or material abuse includes theft, fraud, internet scamming, coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements, in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.

Contact. Financial crimes and exploitation can involve the illegal or improper use of a senior citizen’s funds, property or assets, as well as fraud or identity theft perpetrated against older adults.

You may have a right to seek justice from the abuser through the court system where you live. In addition, California law specifically allows a person to sue someone who is stalking him/her for general damages, specific damages and punitive damages. …

If an abusive partner (to whom you are not married) failed to re-pay money that you lent to him/her or failed to make credit card or loan payments that s/he agreed to, you may be able to take the abuser to small claims court to sue for that money.