Report warns digital finance is being used to control young women

Almost one in five girls and young women aged 16-24 in the UK have experienced a partner or former partner using digital financial products as a means of abuse, according to research for Surviving Economic Abuse. The charity estimates that this represents nearly 700,000 people and warns that banking apps, online payments and digital borrowing can be used to restrict independence.

The report, Access Denied, Futures Derailed, draws on nationally representative research with Ipsos UK. Around one in eight respondents described being denied online-banking login information, while a similar proportion reported control over digital wallets. Seven percent reported credit being taken out in their name without consent or when they were afraid to refuse, including buy-now-pay-later borrowing.

Among those who had experienced economic abuse, more than 40% reported financial difficulties and half reported harm to their mental health. More than a third said the abuse had prevented them from leaving a relationship. One in six had borrowed for essentials or bills. The report's digital-finance finding is narrower than the broader finding that about one in three young women experience economic abuse.

Charity chief executive Sam Smethers called for financial firms to work with survivors and specialists to remove opportunities for abuse and build protection into products, including AI-enabled services. Campaigners also want financial education in schools to cover economic abuse and the warning signs of coercive control.

Safeguarding minister Satvir Kaur said the report drew attention to abuse that too often goes unrecognised. She said the government was working with partners, including banks, through its Enough campaign to improve recognition of economic abuse and help victims obtain support.