Programs empower women affected by economic abuse

Story here. Racking up debt without a partner's knowledge? We all know that's something a wife has never done. On a personal note, this is something that happened to me by an ex-girlfriend. She was fond of using my credit card for shopping sprees on Amazon. Excerpt:

'Economic abuse can involve an abuser preventing a person from getting a job. Or cashing the family's income tax refund check and spending the money before paying bills. Or degrading someone by saying he or she is too stupid to manage a checking account. Or harassing a partner at work via phone calls, text messages or e-mail so frequent that the person loses a job.

These are some other forms of economic abuse:

• Taking money, credit cards or property from a partner without permission.

• Racking up debt without a partner's knowledge.

• Being forced by a partner to hand over paychecks.

Some abusers even have opened credit cards in their spouse's or partner's name and ruined their credit. It's tougher to get an apartment or a job with a bad credit score.'