Speaking Out on Financial Abuse

Laurie G
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Relationships
  • Updated Biweekly

Financial abuse in marriage and romantic partnerships is not a relationship issue. Financial abuse is a domestic violence issue. Hear the stories of anonymous financial abuse survivors from every part of the world, plus many experts and committed advocates weigh in on the topic of financial abuse and how prevention and support for survivors can be increased.

  1. 6d ago

    South Africa's Tech Savvy Hope for Victims of Abuse

    Ronel Monet Koekemoer from South Africa, discusses her work with GRIT, a technologically innovative organization using AI to support victims and survivors of domestic and gender-based violence.  GRIT's initiatives include the GRIT moble app, which offers a panic button, support services map, and a vault for storing important documents.  They also have a generative chatbot called ZUZI, available in multiple South African languages, to provide support and information on gender-based violence. Ronel emphasizes the importance of self-care, community, and ethical AI development in their work. GRIT is primarily donor funded and aims to scale their chatbot and expand their data set to better serve survivors.  GRIT Home Page: www.grit-gbv.org GRIT ZUZI APP: www.grit-gbv.org/tech#zuzi THE GRIT APP: www.grit-gbv.org/tech#app   www.financialabusehelp.net

  2. Aug 12

    How Advocacy Works in Action

    Khersie, Julie and Juniper of the non-profit organization, First Step, in Wayne County, Michigan, discuss advocacy, highlighting their committment to the field and how advocacy works in action to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse.   www.firststep-mi.org www.financialabusehelp.net

  3. Jul 2

    Who Knew Financial Abuse Was a Thing?

    Survivor and author of the new book, "What the F.. Was That!", Rebecca Lazzelle discusses her two marriages of financial difficulty and financial abuse.  Her first husband relied on her for financial support, and her second husband had a history of financial instability and mental illness that quickly manifested early in their marital relationship.  Rebecca details the frustration and the gaslighting of her second marriage where her husband continued to get jobs, lose jobs or not bother to get a job at all.   She outlines the behavior of a financially abusive predator and how well they can convince you that critical self support is not their responsibility. Rebecca managed the finances in both marriages, leading to significant strain, debt, divorces and eventual violence in her second marriage which she narrowly escaped.  Post divorce, Rebecca focuses on her healing journey, becoming a certified energy practitioner and writing a memoir to help others recover from trauma.  She hopes her new book, "What the F.. Was That!", will inspire and educate other survivors and potential victims of relationship abuse.   WEBSITE: www.rebeccalazzelle.com REBECCA'S BOOK, "What the F... Was That!": www.rebeccalazzelle.com/book www.financialabusehelp.net

  4. May 14

    Your End Story Matters! Starting over Financially

    Shari Rash, President of GWA Wealth and host of the"Everyone's Talkin' Money" podcast, discusses her journey from aspiring newscaster to financial expert and wealth builder with her own firm and financial broadcast.  She emphasizes the importance of financial literacy, particularly for women, highlighting the historical barriers and taboos women have often faced in establishing their own financial success.  Shari founded her company, GWA Wealth, and launched a podcast to empower women financially.  She addresses common financial challenges such as emotional spending and stresses the need for financial education. Shari  offers strategies on how to teach children about money as well as sound advice for women in abusive relationships, including understanding financial access and how to set funds aside secretly. She details her new launch of the "Everyone's Talkin' Money" private online club for women which offers affordable financial education and support to help women everywhere recover from financial difficulties and rediscover their financial dreams.

  5. Apr 19

    Chronic Emotional Issues After Abuse: Finding a Lasting Solution

    Cedric Bertelli, Founder and President of the global Emotional Health Institute, discusses his transition from a career in hospitality to emotional healing, inspired by his own struggles with anxiety and his grandfather's resiliance.  Cedric developed a method to resolve debilitating emotional patterns by updating outdated memories.  He trains professionals globally through the Emotional Health Institute and details the method's effectiveness in reducing anxiety among professionals such as hospital workers.  Cedric emphasizes the importance of addressing current emotional difficulties rather than past traumas, offering support for those in or recovering from abusive relationships.    The Emotional Health Institute Web Site  Emotional Resolution Web Site   www.financialabusehelp.net

  6. Mar 21

    Coercive Control: Educating Our Banking Professionals

    Ronda Lee, Owner of The Awakened Banker, discusses her journey from banking to becoming an advocate against financial abuse in romantic partnerships. She highlights her unique background in banking and her transition from operations to retail banking, where she developed a deep understanding of the psychology of money. Ronda emphasizes the importance of understanding coercive control, a form of domestic abuse, and its financial implications. She shares her efforts to educate bankers and survivors through her firm, The Awakened Banker, and provides practical tips for those in and coming out of abusive relationships.    The Awakened Banker - Substack  The Awakened Banker Newsletter Signup   www.financialabusehelp.net

  7. 12/22/2025

    Bringing Global Resources and Hope to Millions of Survivors of Domestic Abuse

    DomesticShelter.Org's National Director, Ashley Rumschlag, and Hannah Craig, Director of Content, discuss their roles and backgrounds before and after joining the massive and prestigious organization which supports over 2.7 million annual visitors and has faciliated for than 55,000 "Hope Chat" conversations through their innovative technology partnerships.   They detail the history of the organization and its many innovative arms of support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse including the Hope Chat AI-driven chatbot, providing instant support, and Verizon Skill Forward, which offers free online courses to survivors that can inspire life altering postive changes. Ashley and Hannah both focus on the importance of safety planning and seeking support, both before and after leaving an abusive relationship.  DomesticShelter.Org's resources are highlighted, including a survivors' Facebook group and an extensive directory of online support groups.   Ashley and Hannah discuss the significance of recognizing patterns of abuse and the role their "Hope Chat" AI chatbot can play in providing critical instant support and resources.  DomesticShelters.Org's yearly sought after Purple Ribbon Awards recognize the contributions of advocates, organizations, and encourages future longevity in the field of domestic abuse support.    LINKS: DomesticShelters.Org Website Hope AI Chat Bot Purple Ribbon Awards '26 Global Shelter & Support Organization Search    www.financialabusehelp.net

  8. 12/09/2025

    PAWS for Empowerment! Veterinarian's Daughter Turns Animals into Advocates with Innovative Program

    Grace Coleman, Director of Crisis Center North, shares her unique background growing up in a small Irish-American village and her transition to combating domestic violence. The center serves over 2,500 clients annually, providing critical services including emergency shelter and long-term counseling.  Grace highlights their unique housing program for victims and their pets, and their innovative use of new technologies.  She highlights the importance of financial abuse awareness and offers financial literacy workshops and a micro-loan program.  Grace discusses the center's funding and the need for creative fundraising events to support continuing programs. as well as state, federal and foundation efforts.  She introduces and shares the success of the PAWS for Empowerment program, which started as a single shelter dog named Penny and expanded to include more animal advocates to support victims, making the courtroom process more compassionate and humane for the survivors.    KEY HIGHLIGHTS: Grace introduces her current role with Crisis Center North in Pittsburgh.  She shares her origins from a small Irish-American village in Pennsylvania.  Grace recounts her transition from teaching to working at Crisis Center North, where she has been for 26 years.  She recounts the importance of her father's very diverse veterinary career and the lack of social work services in her childhood community, leaving her father to often provide critical crisis managment to the community.  Grace provides and overview and Crisis Center North's history, starting with its founding mother and her husband Paul, who provided pro-bono services to domestic violence victims.  She highlights the services provided by Crisis Center North, including hot line and text line services crucial for providing immediate support for victims.  Grace addresses the prevalence of financial abuse in domestic violence cases and the challenges victims faces when needing legal support.  Grace introduces the PAWS for Empowerment program, which started as a single shelter dog named Penny and has expanded to included various animal interventions.  She highlights the PAW's program's success and role in making the courtroom process more compassionate and humane. She shares details of the center's fundraising efforts to ensure the center's sustainability and ability to provide comprehensive services.  Grace reflects on the personal fulfillment she finds in her work and the importance of integrating her passions into her career.     LINKS:  Crisis Center North Web Site PAWS for Empowerment Program   www.financialabusehelp.net

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Financial abuse in marriage and romantic partnerships is not a relationship issue. Financial abuse is a domestic violence issue. Hear the stories of anonymous financial abuse survivors from every part of the world, plus many experts and committed advocates weigh in on the topic of financial abuse and how prevention and support for survivors can be increased.

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