LBC
·Jul 2026
'I thought this must be what a relationship is': One in three girls experience economic abuse before 18, new research finds
Research by Surviving Economic Abuse and Ipsos UK shows that over one-third of young women aged 16 to 24 in the UK experienced economic abuse in the past year, with teenage girls particularly vulnerable early in relationships. Survey data indicates widespread lack of recognition among young men of financially controlling behaviour as abuse. A survivor identified as Becky describes severe financial control, coercion, and debt totalling £50,000 incurred in her name. Experts link rising abuse to misogynistic online influences and call for expanded education in schools, colleges, workplaces, and families to help young people recognise and prevent economic abuse.