Economic Justice

When people think of domestic violence, they often picture bruises, broken bones, and other visible signs of physical abuse. But as we’ve seen, intimate partner violence rarely stops at the physical. It can manifest as verbal, emotional, psychological, and even financial abuse.

Alarmingly, 99% of domestic violence survivors experience financial abuse, a statistic that underscores the critical need for education and training to help survivors achieve financial independence while they work on staying safe and healing physically and emotionally.

Financial control is a powerful tool in the hands of an abuser, often leaving survivors with little to no financial freedom. This deliberate destruction of financial security traps many in the cycle of abuse. At Harbor House of Central Florida, we are committed to providing year-round economic justice and empowerment support to help survivors break free from this cycle. From the first crisis line call, our advocates work with survivors to build financial literacy and pave the way toward independence.

Two survivors from Harbor House’s emergency shelter, *Kaylee and *Paul, recently reached a significant milestone on their journey to safety and independence. With the support of Harbor House’s OVW and Rapid Rehousing programs, they transitioned into places of their own. During their stay at Harbor House, these resilient individuals saved a few thousand dollars and improved their credit scores, laying a strong foundation for their future with the help of our Economic Justice Program.

Now settled in their new places, Kaylee and Paul continue to receive support from Harbor House, with one survivor even working towards purchasing a home—a testament to their courage and determination to rebuild their lives free from domestic violence.

If you or someone you know is experiencing financial abuse, please contact our 24/7 confidential hotline at (407) 886-2856 to speak with a trained advocate. Our team is here to help with financial safety planning and to initiate services for economic empowerment.

*Names changed for confidentiality