Gender-based economic violence and the exploitation of women: A deep dive

Abstract

Economic violence is a form of domestic violence that extends beyond physical harm, affecting victims' economic stability and independence. This situation perpetuates gender inequality and also reinforces the cycle of gender-based violence. With definitions of economic violence broadening to encompass a range of coercive and manipulative behaviors - from financial abuse in domestic violence scenarios to the economic harassment faced by stay-at-home moms - understanding this form of exploitation is crucial for crafting effective interventions. This article aims to delve into various facets of economic violence, including its definition, prevalence, and the stark realities it creates for its victims. Following the search of international databases: Social Work Abstracts (EBSCO), Psychology Abstracts, Family and Women Studies Worldwide, Psychiatry Online, Psych INFO (including Psych ARTICLES), PubMed, Wiley, and Scopus, 60 peer-reviewed articles that met all inclusion criteria were included in the paper. Our review clarifies that looking forward, the call for a comprehensive understanding of economic violence, enhanced legal frameworks, and the strengthening of supportive networks underscore the multidisciplinary approach required to combat this issue effectively.

Keywords: Domestic violence; Economic violence; Exploitation; Gender based; Women.

Figure 1

Flow chart summarizing the literature review.