Domestic Abuse & the Cost of Living

As we move into the final few months of 2026, and with the Autumn Budget bringing household finances and the cost of living back into sharp focus, I've been reflecting on the challenges facing individuals and families across our communities.


Whether it's the cost of food, energy, housing, transport or simply managing everyday expenses, financial security remains a significant concern for many.


We often talk about the difficult choices people are having to make, the pressure of stretching household budgets and the importance of supporting those who are struggling financially.


But what about those who don't have the freedom to make those choices in the first place?


What about someone who cannot access their own wages, is prevented from working, has debts created in their name or has to ask permission to purchase everyday essentials?


For some, financial hardship isn't simply about the rising cost of living. It's about someone else deliberately restricting their choices, resources and independence.

At Alpha Vesta, we continue to see misunderstandings around domestic abuse, with outdated definitions and terminologies sometimes reinforcing stereotypes and misconceptions across the media, professional practice and public awareness.


Despite the introduction of the statutory definition under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which explicitly recognises economic abuse, if we continue to describe economic abuse only in terms of financial control, we risk overlooking the wider ways in which someone's independence can be undermined.

This autumn, we've been updating our #IDidntKnow resources to help raise awareness of the different forms of domestic abuse and what people might see, hear or notice in everyday situations.


We have now created our Economic Abuse factsheet which we hope will encourage more conversations, challenge misconceptions and help individuals and organisations recognise when someone may need support.


I encourage you to take a few moments to read more about Economic Abuse in our latest Blog and share our Economic Abuse factsheet as you never know when something you learn today might help you recognise something tomorrow.