Digital technologies and economic abuse in intimate relationships: perceptions of clinical professionals who work with victim-survivors of violence in Finland

Abstract

In recent decades, the management of economic affairs has largely transitioned to digital platforms. Electronic identification and online money management have not only simplified individuals’ daily lives but have also introduced new methods for financially harming one’s partner or ex-partner. This study explores the various types of digitally facilitated economic abuse (DFEA) reported by clinical professionals who work with victim-survivors of violence. The data consist of 102 open-ended survey responses and four focus group interviews conducted with 15 participants. The findings suggest that DFEA can be categorized into two main types: digitally facilitated economic exploitation and digitally facilitated economic control. Digitally facilitated economic exploitation encompasses three distinct forms: The perpetrator (1) steals the victim’s money, (2) uses the victim’s identity to obtain financial benefits or (3) threatens to inflict financial harm. By contrast, digitally facilitated economic control involves 1) dominating victims of violence by taking control of their finances or 2) surveilling them through digital platforms, such as their online banking or loyalty card accounts. The motivation behind these actions differs from that of economic exploitation; it is not primarily for financial gain but rather a desire for control. Based on the findings of this study, there is a pressing need to critically examine digital practices and platforms to mitigate the potential for abuse. Preventing DFEA requires collaboration among a range of societal actors, including social and healthcare service providers, policymakers, law enforcement, prosecutors and financial and technology institutions.