Almost 4 million children in UK affected by economic abuse, charity finds

One in six women who experienced economic abuse said a current or ex-partner had stolen money from their child, such as their birthday or pocket money Photograph: Catmiser/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Almost 4 million children in the UK are suffering the impact of economic abuse in their families, with some having pocket or birthday money stolen by the perpetrators, a charity has found.

Data from charity Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) showed that over the past year 27% of mothers with children under 18 had experienced behaviour considered to be economic abuse, where a current or former partner has controlled the family’s money.