Ep 365: Breaking Down Economic Abuse with Dr Nicola Sharp-Jeffs, OBE, CF
Summary
Host Laura and guest Dr. Nicholas Sharpjes discuss economic abuse as a primary tactic of coercive control, detailing how abusers restrict financial autonomy to trap victims. They explore the three forms of abuse—restriction, sabotage, and exploitation—and highlight how these tactics often go unrecognized by survivors. The episode also covers systemic solutions, including Dr. Sharpjes’ charity Surviving Economic Abuse and efforts to rewrite coerced debt through banking sector partnerships.
Topics discussed
Introduction to economic abuse and the power of money
Dr. Nick Sharp's background and research origins
Defining economic abuse and its visibility
The Duluth Power and Control Wheel and economic tactics
Financial secrecy, micromanagement, and isolation
Promotion of The Storyteller podcast and Crime Analyst Squad
Case study: Sarah's financial exploitation and loss of agency
Exploiting credit, pregnancy, and the stay-at-home trap
Legal disadvantages for unmarried mothers and cohabitants
The Gabby Petito case as an example of economic control
Post-separation abuse and weaponizing family courts
Hierarchy of harm and founding Surviving Economic Abuse
Banking sector codes and debt relief mechanisms
Economic Justice Monitor podcast and legal sentencing gaps
Final advice on financial literacy and normalizing money talks
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