Economic violence

Economic violence is any act or behaviour which causes economic harm to an individual. Economic violence can take the form of, for example, property damage, restricting access to financial resources, education or the labour market, or not complying with economic responsibilities, such as alimony. In some circumstances the individuals may be closeted LGBT people. The World Health Organization defines it as being a form of collective violence, committed by larger groups towards individuals. The term is frequently associated with, or credited to, feminist theory, who term it as a broader form of violence beyond use or threats of physical force, to include sexual, psychological and economic violence. In Argentinian law, it is defined as a form of domestic violence.

The term 'economic violence' developed from the term economic abuse which was first introduced in the late 1950s. It has commonly been used as a tool to dominate, manipulate and control with the intent to discourage one's ability to gain independence.