Mr. Speaker, I recently met with the Canadian Centre for Women's Empowerment, a volunteer-led organization focused on the issue of economic abuse against women in domestic relationships. While many people understand the impact of physical violence and verbal and psychological abuse, what is less often discussed is economic abuse. While 95% of women who experience domestic abuse also experience economic abuse, it can also occur on its own.
Examples of economic abuse can include denying access to a bank account, forcing someone into debt without their knowledge, or preventing someone from working or going to school. Economic abuse makes it hard for women to leave violent relationships and may continue for a long time after the relationship. As we see far too often, women in marginalized groups are disproportionately affected.
I want to thank the Canadian Centre for Women's Empowerment for its hard work in raising awareness about this very important issue.