End Financial Abuse in Family Law After Separation
Join us in signing our petition advocating for family law reform and systemic change. Fight for full and frank disclosure and campaign for a safe, fair system that protects the next generation of baby chicks.
The crisis we face
Economic abuse is a devastating form of domestic abuse that continues long after separation. It involves controlling a person’s access to financial resources, sabotaging and or concealing employment, destroying their credit or withholding financial support – all designed to maintain power and control. Despite the profound impact on victims and their children, our family law system is failing to adequately recognise and address this abuse. The result is that victims are re-traumatised through court proceedings, left financially vulnerable and unable to rebuild their lives with safety and dignity.
The evidence
What family justice professionals are telling us
In October 2024, Resolution – a leading UK family law organisation – published the findings of a major survey that revealed a shocking truth about our family justice system.
of professionals agree
Family justice professionals believe that domestic abuse – particularly economic abuse – is not sufficiently taken into account in financial remedy proceedings
This is not a small oversight. This is a systemic failure that affects thousands of people seeking safety and financial security after leaving abusive relationships.
What economic abuse looks like
Hidden assets
Abusers conceal money, bank accounts, property, or investments to avoid fair division
Weaponised debt
Running up debts in the victim's name or forcing them to take financial responsibility for joint obligations
Litigation abuse
Using repeated court applications or delays to drain the victim's finances and energy
Employment sabotage
Deliberately undermining the victim's ability to work and earn income or forcing them to employment that impacts their ability to support the children's mental wellbeing
Why this matters
The impact on victims
- Unable to afford legal representation to protect their rights
- Forced into poverty despite being entitled to fair financial settlement
- Trapped in prolonged court battles designed to exhaust them
- Children suffer as financial resources are weaponised
- Recovery and rebuilding becomes impossible without financial stability
The cost to society
- Increased reliance on public services and benefits
- Mental health crisis among victims and children
- Perpetuation of inequality and injustice
- Erosion of trust in the legal system
- Continuation of abuse through institutional channels
What we demand
01
Mandatory training
02
Clear legal framework
03
Protection mechanisms
04
Accessible support
05
Accountability
The time for action is now
When 80% of family justice professionals recognise that the system is failing victims of economic abuse, we cannot afford to wait any longer for reform.
Every day that passes, more people are forced through a system that does not protect them. More children watch as their primary carer is financially destroyed. More abusers learn that the courts can be weaponised to continue their control.
We are calling on the government, the judiciary and all relevant authorities to take immediate action to end financial abuse in family law proceedings.
Who we are
This petition is supported by survivors of economic abuse, family law professionals, domestic abuse specialists and advocates for justice and equality.
We represent the voices of those who have been silenced by financial control and we stand together to demand a system that recognises economic abuse for what it is: domestic abuse that destroys lives.
Join us in calling for change.
Sign the Petition
Add your voice to demand that economic abuse be properly recognised and addressed in family law financial remedy proceedings.
Together, we can create a system that protects victims, holds abusers accountable and enables people to rebuild their lives with dignity and financial security.