Mr. Speaker, November 26 marks economic abuse awareness day, recognizing a form of domestic violence that all too often goes unnoticed. Financial abuse occurs in 99% of all domestic violence cases in which the abuser controls the finances, causing many victims to feel trapped and unable to leave the abuser due to lack of resources. The serious impacts of economic abuse can follow survivors long after they leave a relationship, affecting not only the survivor's mental health and well-being but also that of their children.
Many people, particularly women, gender-diverse people, BIPOC folks and the disability community, face additional risks of economic abuse. To end this abuse, we must invest in research, remove structural barriers, enable economic empowerment and ensure survivors have the resources they need to regain control of their lives and financial health.
By proclaiming November 26 as economic abuse awareness day, we are taking a stand for survivors across the country. Together we can work together toward a future where no one experiences economic abuse.