Join us for our national Week of Action activities from October 21-26, 2024
The 2024 Week Without Violence, in partnership with World YWCA, will center around the theme of financial abuse and trauma, presenting a series of stories and resources to empower communities. Instead of a town hall, YWCA will highlight real-life experiences through short videos from local YWCA associations, underscoring the resilience of survivors and providing practical strategies for recovery. These resources aim to raise awareness, help individuals identify financial abuse, and offer pathways to safety and justice. Thank you to our partners for making this week possible!
Financial Abuse is an often-overlooked form of domestic violence, affecting millions of Americans. Financial Abuse occurs in 99% of relationships where abuse happens, forcing many into mental, emotional and financial stress.
The True Cost of Financial Abuse – The Allstate Foundation
Watch this short video from Vox, the Allstate Foundation, and Hello Sunshine, to learn about long term impacts and real cost of financial abuse.
WWV 2024 San Gabriel Valley
Watch this video where a survivor talks about her experience of financial abuse and how she rebuilt her own life with the support of YWCA.
Financial Abuse Fact Sheet
Read this fact sheet from the National Network to end domestic violence to learn more about financial abuse and find resources to help survivors rebuild.
Explore the unique challenges faced by teens, with content on how to identify financial child abuse and the growing prevalence of financial abuse in teen relationships.
WWV 2024 St. Paul
Watch this video where a survivor of financial abuse shares her story as well as advice for young people who are going through similar experiences.
Teen Economic Abuse – Futures Without Violence
Futures Without Violence offers resources to raise awareness and equip schools and families with the knowledge to combat economic abuse in teen relationships. It includes toolkits, infographics, and posters that address employment sabotage, financial control, and educational interference..
Nearly one-third of teen relationships show signs of financial abuse, study finds – CNBC
Read this article where experts emphasize the long-term impact financial abuse can have on teens, calling for increased education and awareness around financial control in relationships
These resources provide strategies on leaving abusive relationships and highlight the importance of financial empowerment in the recovery process.
WWV 2024 Great Lakes Bay Region
Watch this video featuring a survivor of financial abuse talking about the importance of reaching out for help and taking control of your financial future.
For a Deeper Dive: Moving Ahead: A Financial Empowerment Resource – The Allstate Foundation
Moving Ahead covers a variety of important financial topics, including budgeting, managing debt, and improving credit. It has been proven to help survivors move from short-term safety to long-term security. You can complete the self-paced modules of this course in any order.
Economically independent women can escape the cycle of violence more easily
The UN Women article highlights how economic independence can help women escape the cycle of violence. It emphasizes that financial empowerment is critical for women to break free from abusive relationships and secure long-term safety.
Beyond The Bruises: Understanding Financial Abuse As A Form Of Domestic Violence
The article explores financial abuse as a hidden form of domestic violence, particularly affecting Black women. Survivors like Neisha Himes share their experiences, and organizations like the Allstate Foundation provide support through financial education and direct assistance to empower survivors.
Today’s focus is on financial trauma and how the persistent wealth gap in America disproportionately impacts women of color, reinforcing cycles of economic instability and trauma.
WWV 2024 Southern Arizona
Watch this video where Ana talks about how YWCA helped her overcome financial abuse and work towards her dream of giving back to her community.
Fact Sheet: Black Women’s Financial Trauma
Financial Trauma Expert, Chloe B. McKenzie, speaks about the many wealth inequalities in America, and how Black women are disproportionately affected while bearing the brunt of the wealth gap.
YWCA Wealth Justice Survey:
We are excited to provide this survey as an opportunity to learn firsthand about the economic experiences of women and girls we serve. By completing this survey, you are helping us cultivate and create policies and practices that further our mission to eliminate racism and empower women.
These resources provide steps for legislative advocacy, tools for financial empowerment, and guidance on financial activism, helping individuals move money and power in meaningful ways.
Show your support for the SAFE for Survivors Act
This legislation would allow survivors of domestic/gender-based violence 40 days of leave to attend court, seek legal assistance, and make a plan for their long-term safety.
Make a will with FreeWill
Making a will can help ensure that your loved ones are cared for and that you can leave a lasting legacy. With Freewill you can create a will at no cost and make an impact on the causes that matter to you.
Women’s Empowerment ETF
Want to start investing? Learn about YWCA Women’s Empowerment ETF. This exchange-traded fund includes companies that align with the YWCA’s vision of how corporations can advance women’s empowerment and gender equality.
Financial Activism 101: Moving Money and Power
This article highlights Jasmine Rashid's work in financial activism, emphasizing how money and power can be restructured to support social justice. Rashid discusses healing systemic financial inequities and explores ways to align capital with community values for sustainable change.
Today will emphasize the importance of financial well-being and self-care with resources such as breathing exercises, ways to practice financial self-care, and tips for coping with financial stress.
YWCA Breathing Exercise
Use this video to practice self-care through breath control.
Coping with Financial Stress
The Help Guide article on coping with financial stress outlines strategies to manage the emotional and psychological effects of financial difficulties.
Five Steps Towards Financial Freedom for Black Women
The article outlines five steps for Black women to achieve financial freedom, emphasizing the importance of knowledge and empowerment.
Book Recommendations
“Smart Women Finish Rich: 9 Steps to Achieving Financial Security and Funding Your Dreams” by David Bach
Smart Women Finish Rich, by renowned financial advisor David Bach, has shown women of all ages and backgrounds how to take control of their financial future and finish rich. Whether you’re working with a few dollars a week or a significant inheritance, Bach’s nine-step program gives you tools for spending wisely, establishing security, and aligning money with your values.
Click here to order.
“Real Money Answers for Every Woman: How to Win the Money Game With or Without a Man” by Patrice C. Washington
Real Money Answers for Every Woman teaches you how to take responsibility for your financial future, whether you’re just starting out or need a fresh start. In a handy Q & A format, it offers relatable and easy to understand and implement advice on everything from managing credit cards, home ownership, and student loans to affordable childcare and even negotiating for a higher salary.
Click here to order.
Girls That Invest: Your Guide to Financial Independence through Shares and Stocks by Simran Kaur
Your step-by-step guide to financial independence―from the creator of the #1 investing education podcast, Girls That Invest. Investing is for everyone. Pick up Girls That Invest, become an investor-in-training, and claim a space for yourself in the world of finance―so you too can find financial independence and create generational wealth.
Click here to order.
“Women And Money: The Independent Woman's Guide To Financial Security For Life” by Frances Leonard
Attorney Frances Leonard offers readers advice that will mobilize them to action, giving the straight facts about retirement benefits, pension plans, and health insurance needs; property rights and divorce law; and wage, age and sex discrimination laws.
Click here to order.
“Clever Girl Finance: Ditch Debt, Save Money, and Build Real Wealth” by Bola Sokunbi
Clever Girl Finance encourages women to talk about money and financial wellness and shows them how to navigate their own murky financial waters and come out afloat on the other side.
Click here to order.
“The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap” by Mehrsa Baradaran
The Color of Money seeks to explain the stubborn persistence of this racial wealth gap by focusing on the generators of wealth in the black community: black banks. In this timely and eye-opening account, Baradaran challenges the long-standing belief that black communities could ever really hope to accumulate wealth in a segregated economy.
Click here to order.
“The Fiscal Feminist: A Financial Wake-up Call for Women” by Kimberlee Davis
Wealth manager and host of The Fiscal Feminist podcast Kimberlee Davis taps her 25 years’ experience to teach women how to take charge of their money and control their financial destiny.
Click here to order.