Status of Women committee  We did different assessments in many countries. We adopted those best practices in Canada. In Australia, for example, there is a financial code of practice among their financial institutions. Also, in the U.K. they have developed a financial code of practice to protect survivors.

Status of Women committee  In terms of vulnerability, from our experience and from our day-to-day work, Black and indigenous women are highly impacted, especially indigenous women who are aged above 15. That's what we have seen. Unfortunately, our pension law and our pension system don't help them. As you know, your income support is sometimes not considered as income, especially if you have spousal support.

Status of Women committee  Exactly. The nature of this form of abuse is that it continues after separation. It doesn't rely on physical proximity. When they leave women in those abusive situations, perpetrators deliberately hold and control economic resources. Those economic resources could be credit, debt, assets or any kind of property under the spouse's name.

Status of Women committee  Thank you so much for this important question. We expect the federal government to amend the Divorce Act. That's our advocacy. We presented that, of course, in our petition the last time for the House. Unfortunately, because of the federal election, we were not successful. The Divorce Act has to be amended to include the three forms of abuse, which are economic control, economic exploitation and employment sabotage.

Status of Women committee  In terms of the research, unfortunately there is limited data in Canada, not only for young girls but for all community members. Right now, my organization is conducting a national study to identify and see the prevalence. We also want to explore what the services and opportunities are for victims and survivors of economic abuse.

Status of Women committee  In terms of data, it is very important to share public policy and for women to understand the issue. Unfortunately, one of our challenges is that women don't know about financial and economic abuse, because of its nature and complexity. Service care providers don't have a lot of resources to identify and tackle this form of violence.

Status of Women committee  Good afternoon everyone. My name is Meseret Haileyesus, executive director of the Canadian Center for Women's Empowerment. I join you from the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin nation in Ottawa. I am very honoured and pleased to join the committee this afternoon.

Status of Women committee  Yes.