Police Advice – Tackling Financial Abuse of Older People

Many people think that domestic abuse only applies when there is physical violence between couples, but it can involve coercive and controlling behaviour such as financial control.  It can also take place between family members such as sons, daughters or grandchildren.

Domestic abuse is defined as:

Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over, who are, or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.

The abuse can encompass but is not limited to the following types of abuse:

• Psychological
• Physical
• Sexual
• Financial and or
• Emotional

Read more information about coercive and controlling behaviour here.

If you have a relative who is controlling your or your money, or you are worried about someone you know, there are lots of organisations who can help.

Financial control could take the form of a relative always visiting on pension day, and persuading the victim to give them some or all of their money.  Or it could involve the victim being threatened or suffering physical violence.  This is domestic abuse and it is a crime.

Many older people who are suffering this crime will be reluctant to contact the Police, because they won’t want to get their relative into trouble.  In many cases the victim will realise that what is happening is wrong, but they think that the relative will stop visiting them if they don’t give them money. They feel it is worth giving them their money for their company, as it may be the only person they see regularly.

YouTube Video – Bob’s Story – Inspector Esther Hobbs