One form of control that an abuser exerts over a victim is financial abuse. Many individuals who exert control – whether emotional, psychological, or physical abuse – also control their victims’ finances. This financial abuse can take many forms including incurring coerced or fraudulent debt in a survivor’s name. Financial abuse is the main reason why many people are too afraid to leave a domestic abuse situation.

HB1198 establishes a process for survivors to state that a debt is coerced and allows debt collectors to consider dropping the court case and to possibly pursue the abuser for the coerced debt instead. Take action to support survivors today!

A study by The Center for Survivor Agency & Justice found that the median amount of coerced debt a survivor had was $23,248. The effects of coerced debt are devastating. The debt tanks a victim’s credit, making it more difficult to secure employment, new housing, or loans which further increases financial insecurity and makes it more difficult to leave an abusive relationship. Survivors may experience aggressive debt collection activity including wage and bank garnishments or even bankruptcy. This financial burden makes it incredibly difficult for survivors to break free from the control of the abuser and rebuild their lives.

HB1198 allows survivors of intimate partner violence as well as foster youth and older adults to have an opportunity for a fresh financial start and be able to leave an abusive relationship.

But the clock is ticking. We only have 12 days to get this bill moving in the House! Take action today to protect survivors, and give them a fresh start along with a brighter financial future. Your calls and actions will help them start over without coerced debt.