This brief present three key principles to guide the development of effective responses to technology-facilitated financial abuse in the context of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Identified through literature from Canada, the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom and grounded in consultations with survivors.
Service providers are incorporating these principles when designing solutions and practices to better support survivors, reduce harm, and prevent the misuse of financial technology. The brief outlines case studies of emerging, innovative practices that reflect these principles, aiming to enhance survivor safety, promote trauma-informed interventions, and raise awareness of this growing form of abuse.
The term innovative practices is used intentionally rather than “promising” or “best practices,” as these initiatives are still relatively new and require further evaluation to fully understand their effectiveness and long-term impact.
Join us at WomanACT’s Annual General Meeting! This year, our theme C-SAFE highlights the urgent need to address gender-based violence (GBV) not just within traditional sectors, but across all systems that shape safety, equity, and justice. The theme underscores that GBV is a cross-cutting issue—impacting workplaces, communities, education, healthcare, housing, technology, and beyond—and requires coordinated allyship and engagement at every level. This event will bring together experts to share their experiences, best practices, and insights on cross-sectoral collaboration.
COMING SOON: Panelist information
Refreshments and beverages will be served.
* Space is limited*
WomanACT’s feedback to the Toronto Police Service Board’s 2025–2028 Strategic Plan is the result of a collaborative process informed by the lived experiences and expertise of survivors, frontline organizations, researchers, and advocates across the violence against women (VAW) sector. Developed through consultations, both independently and as part of the City of Toronto’s IPV Working Group, this submission centers survivor voices and offers evidence-based, gender-responsive, and trauma-informed recommendations to address rising rates of intimate partner violence.
Drawing on over two decades of leadership in advancing gender equity, WomanACT’s submission highlights five key areas for reform: gender-responsive policing; integrated crisis response models with non-police alternatives; improved accountability and equity in data use; meaningful community partnerships rooted in survivor leadership; and strengthened internal practices to support diversity, wellness, and anti-oppression. This strategic planning process offers a critical opportunity to align the Board’s priorities with long-standing calls from the VAW sector, ensuring policing strategies are equitable, accountable, and responsive to the diverse needs of survivors, while focusing on prevention of intimate partner and gender-based violence.
On April 11th , WomanACT submitted a formal letter to Premier Doug Ford and all Members of Provincial Parliament, calling for the revival and passage of Bill 173 — The Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act.
Backed by over 30 community organizations, our letter urges the Ontario government to take action on the preventable and widespread crisis of intimate partner violence (IPV).
Recognizing IPV as an epidemic must go beyond symbolism—it requires lasting action, including new legislation, regulatory changes, policy directives, targeted programs, and sustainable budget measures. The Ontario government has an opportunity to take action, but only if we keep this issue at the forefront.
It can be challenging to talk about Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) or family violence. Knowing how to respond or start a conversation can make a difference. WomanACT’s C.A.R.E © model provides practical steps to approach these conversations with compassion.
If you or someone you know is at risk, learn how to identify signs of abuse and reach out to local helplines for confidential help and resources. Together, we can support survivors this holiday season, and every day
For more information or to get involved, please contact: info@womanact.ca
On November 12th, 2024, Harmy Mendoza, the Executive Director of Woman ACT, spoke at the Toronto Police Service Board Meeting about the increasing incidents of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Family Violence in Toronto. In alignment with the Toronto Police Service’s recognition and acknowledgment of IPV, coupled with the ongoing community advocacy for Bill 173 – the Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act, it is essential to address the rise of intimate partner violence through a collaborative, multi-sectoral approach. This approach should prioritize survivor-centered, trauma-informed practices.
This submission to the Toronto Service Police Board includes several key recommendations, including strengthening coordination across various systems, comprehensive data collection, and building an integrated multi-sector approach. These efforts aim to better prevent, respond to, and support survivors of intimate partner violence.
Economic and financial abuse impacts every part of a survivor’s life, causing stress, anxiety, depression, and a loss of self-esteem. It often leads to poverty, housing instability, and limited career opportunities. The social impacts can include feeling isolated and becoming financially dependent on their partner/spouse. Legal and financial consequences include coerced debt and legal vulnerabilities.
This visual report outlines the social impacts of financial and economic abuse, and real-life examples of survivor experiences.
While research on financial abuse as a form of intimate partner violence remains limited, financial abuse is commonly used to exert power and control over women, often occurring alongside other types of abuse. This form of abuse is impactful because it strips individuals of financial freedom and independence, with lasting effects such as damaged credit and housing instability.
This visual report explores what constitutes financial and economic abuse, real-life examples, and practical steps to protect your financial well-being.
Housing stability plays a crucial role in the safety and well-being of survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). When faced with renovictions, many women and gender-diverse individuals experience increased housing insecurity, which can exacerbate their vulnerability to further violence. The threat of eviction and displacement not only disrupts their lives but can also deter them from seeking help or leaving abusive situations.
This joint submission by WomanACT and Right to Housing Toronto to the City of Toronto’s Planning and Housing Committee addresses the urgent need for a Rental Renovation Licence Bylaw to mitigate the impacts of renovictions on vulnerable tenants. It outlines the importance of adopting a human rights and trauma-informed approach in the bylaw’s implementation, emphasizing the unique challenges faced by survivors of GBV. The letter offers recommendations to strengthen the proposed framework, including enhanced tenant protections, educational resources for landlords, and support for marginalized communities. By prioritizing these measures, the City can uphold the right to housing and contribute to safer living conditions for all residents.
Economic abuse affects many women and gender-diverse individuals in Canada, with rates as high as 1 in 3 women experiencing it from intimate partners.
The Economic Abuse Project: Providing a model of improved support for survivors of domestic violence (EASE), is a collaboration between credit specialists, anti-violence organizations, and financial institutions to address the impacts of economic and financial abuse on survivors of domestic violence. It involves support for survivors to rebuild credit and develop financial literacy, brings professionals together to collaborate for financial system change and build the capacity of professionals to recognize and respond to economic abuse.
The project is an adaptation of the UK-developed Domestic Economic Abuse Project (DEAP). The project improved outcomes for victims/survivors of domestic and economic abuse, enhanced understanding of economic abuse and identified areas for system change among the financial sector and other community agencies.
Publications
Innovative Practices for Identifying and Responding to Tech-Facilitated Financial Abuse
Financial Safety Planning – Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
Economic and Financial Abuse – Key Terms
This project has been funded through Women and Gender Equality Canada’s Women’s Program
