They are one of the six forms of domestic violence observed and are second only to psychological, verbal or physical violence. According to the National Federation of Women's Solidarity (FNSF), which runs the 3919 helpline, some 26% of women said they had experienced economic violence in 2022, an increase of one point compared to 2021.
Solidarité Femmes, which published its annual report on 22 November, and the team at this national helpline for women victims of gender-based violence in general, and domestic violence in particular, responded to a total of 93,005 calls last year. They noted that women are becoming more precarious as a result of the violence they have suffered.
"This can take different forms, such as prohibiting women from working, but also the confiscation of household resources by the perpetrator, such as child benefits and salary, thus preventing women from leaving the aggressor. Or, sometimes, they don't even have a bank account," explains Françoise Brié, Director General of the FNSF.
Twenty euros a month given by her husband
"It's a pernicious form of violence," she said. In particular, the Solidarité Femmes teams collected the testimony of a mother who was allocated 20 euros per week to feed herself and her children and ensure their basic goods. And this in a family that had the means.
This type of violence takes place within the home, but can also continue after separation, with non-payment of bail or repeated legal proceedings against women with few or no resources.
Read alsoWomen's rights: "The fight against economic violence must be a priority"
Héloïse Bolle, author of the book "Aux thunes citoyennes!", reminds us that a financial organization that is unfavourable to women within the household can also be considered a form of economic violence. "When a person lives with a spouse who earns much more money and he imposes a 50-50 split of expenses in spite of this, it contributes to the impoverishment of the woman and blocks her enrichment by preventing her from saving," she explains.
An IFOP survey for the feminist newsletter "Les Glorieuses" revealed at the end of October that 16% of women were affected by this type of violence. "Many have found themselves in difficult financial situations, because they have accepted this kind of organization, often without having thought about it beforehand," warns Héloïse Bolle. According to her, there are many victims who are not aware of the economic violence they have suffered.
"Dangerousness Indicator"
Economic violence is less often detected, notes Françoise Brié. However, this is an "indicator of dangerousness". "They are often concomitant with physical violence or can be a warning sign that should not be overlooked," she warns.
To combat this phenomenon, the newsletter "Les Glorieuses" has made available an online test, and a special barometer based on the model of the "violentometer" which reminds us of what is or is not violence and the red lines that should alert the victim.
💶 Economic violence in the couple:
A barometer of economic violence has been created by @Les_Glorieuses and "Oseille et compagnie", based on the model of the violentometer. To be shared! ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/ETDMlAVCTE
— Poulimiette (@Poulimiette) November 2, 2023
The study commissioned by "Les Glorieuses" and published at the end of October revealed that 16% of women who have been in a relationship at least once undergo or have already undergone a control of their finances by their partner. The report also indicated that 41% of women who had ever been in a relationship had experienced some form of economic violence at least once.
Among the avenues proposed by Solidarité Femmes, "we should better define what economic violence is and be able to have points of vigilance in banking institutions".
For "Les Glorieuses", increasing women's wages could be another key to the problem, knowing that a woman is twice as likely to be a victim of domestic economic violence if she earns less than her partner. This is very frequently the case: the wage gap between the two sexes is still 15.4% in France.
" READ ALSOequal pay in France: women "work for free" from Monday
Lack of resources for associations
Actors in the field have also noted some progress in recent years, notably brought about by the Rixain law of 2021, which makes it mandatory for companies to pay salary only into a bank account of which the employee is the holder or co-holder. The Act also allows for the selection of an individualized rate for taxes, so that they are distributed equitably according to the salary of each member of the couple.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Héloïse Bolle - Conseil - Education financière (@oseille.et.compagnie)
The deconjugalization of the allowance for disabled adults (AAH), which allows the spouse's income to no longer be taken into account in the calculation of this benefit, also helps to prevent the control over women with disabilities.
Not to mention the entry into force, as of December 1, of emergency financial aid voted in February in Parliament. A woman who is a victim of domestic violence and who files a complaint or a protection order will be able to apply for financial support ranging from €250 to more than €1,300 – per month, for a limited period of time – depending on her income and family situation. The minister in charge of equality between women and men, Bérangère Couillard, promised on Saturday that this "direct aid" would be "paid in three to five days by the Family Allowance Funds (CAF)".
For associations that help women who are victims of domestic violence, support towards financial autonomy is essential: steps to return to work, access to housing, etc. The latter are increasingly in demand, with a 15% increase in such violence over one year.
" READ ALSOThe women particularly affected by the worsening poverty in France
"Women have done their part by going more to file complaints, and it continues, but we need to be much more effective in supporting and protecting" victims, said Anne-Cécile Mailfert, president of the Women's Foundation, in an interview with AFP. "However, we see associations on the ground at the end of their tether, so overwhelmed with requests that some are bankrupt": they are no longer able to offer victims support and accommodation and are desperately waiting for financial support from the state or local authorities, she warns.
This week's recapFrance 24 invites you to look back on the news that marked the week
Subscribe now
Take international news with you wherever you go! Download the France 24 app