ABSTRACT
This study investigates the community perceptions of economic abuse in the Province of Albay and examines its impact on the economic stability of the victims. Qualitative data were collected from 504 respondents across the community sectors, including the PNP, MSWD, the barangay VAWC desk officer, and residents, using a structured survey to measure the level of awareness, perceived manifestations of economic abuse, and its economic consequences. Results show that economic abuse is characterized by financial control, restriction of resources, economic exploitation, and employment interference is a perceived link between economic abuse and long–term financial instability among victims, including loss of income opportunities, increased dependency, and difficulty achieving financial recovery. Qualitative data reinforce these findings, revealing themes of hidden coercion, limited community intervention, and gaps in institutional support. The study concludes that enhanced community awareness, strengthened support systems, and targeted economic interventions are crucial in promoting victim resilience and ensuring suitable economic stability across communities in Albay.
Keywords: Economic abuse, community perception, mixed-method research, economic stability, intimate partner violence, Albay, financial control, gender-based violence
INTRODUCTION
Intimate partner Violence (IVP) has long been perceived primarily as physical violence, a view reinforced by much of the research and media coverage. However, IPV encompasses multiple forms of abuse, including sexual, and sometimes referred to as financial abuse, remains one of the least visible forms, despite its significant impact on victims’ lives.
Economic abuse involves controlling, restricting, or exploiting a partner’s financial resources, thereby limiting their independence and economic stability. While research linking economic insecurity and economic abuse is emerging, there remains no consistent global definition or standardized index to measure its prevalence and impact. This lack of clarity hinders both policy development and the provision of support services for victims.
Economic abuse in a relationship is a pervasive yet often overlooked form of domestic abuse that significantly impacts victims’ financial stability, autonomy, and overall well-being. These types of abuse involve controlling a partner’s access to financial resources, limiting their ability to work, and creating financial dependence. This, in turn, makes it difficult for victims to leave abusive relationships. As society progresses towards greater awareness of gender-based violence and economic rights, economic abuse is increasingly recognized as a financial resource, limiting their ability to work and creating financial dependence. This, in turn, makes it difficult for victims to leave abusive relationships. As society progresses towards greater awareness of gender-based violence and economic rights, economic abuse is increasingly recognized as a critical issue that requires both legal and institutional intervention.
Economic abuse is recognized as a distinct form of intimate partner violence (IPV) that can manifest through various behaviours, such as preventing access to finances or sabotaging employment opportunities. Research indicates that economic abuse is prevalent across different cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds, contributing significantly to the overall burden of IPV globally (Economic Abuse: A Global Perspective, 2022).
In the Philippines, economic abuse is addressed under Republic Act No. 9262, also known as the anti-violence Against Women and their Children Act, in 2004. This law recognizes economic abuse as a form of violence that can lead to criminal liability for perpetrators it includes actions like withholding financial support or controlling access to family income (Respicio, 2024).
Studies indicate that factors such as low educational attainment and alcohol consumption by partners significantly increase the risk of experiencing economic violence among women in the Philippines. These socioeconomic inequalities exacerbate vulnerabilities and limit women’s options for escaping abusive situations (Roque et al., n.d.). Government agencies and NGOs provide legal assistance and services for victims of economic abuse. However, awareness and accessibility of these services remain challenges that need to be addressed at both the local and national levels. (Respicio, 2024).
This study seeks to address the community perception by examining the prevalence, forms, and consequences of economic abuse in intimate relationships with the Province of Albay. Specifically, it aims to assess how financial control impacts victims’ economic stability, identify available support systems, and propose policy recommendations to mitigate its effects. Understanding these dynamics is essential for developing effective intervention programs and enhancing legal protections for victims.
The findings of this study will be valuable to policymakers, social workers, law enforcement agencies, and advocacy groups in crafting responsive strategies against economic abuse. Additionally, it will empower victims by shedding light on available coping mechanisms and support networks. By bringing attention to this pressing issue, the research aims to contribute to broader discussions on financial independence, gender equality, and the protection of vulnerable individuals in intimate relationships.
FRAMEWORK
This study, “Community perception on economic abuse in the province of Albay: the impact on victims’ economic stability,” is grounded in several theories that help explain the nature, consequences, and potential interventions for economic abuse. The framework integrates Ecological system theory, feminist theory, social learning theory, strain theory (Sociology), and Power and Control theory (Duluth Model) to examine the dynamics of financial control and its impact on victims.
This study applies the CIPP model (Context, Input, Process, Product) as a structured framework to analyse economic abuse in community perception in the province of Albay and its impact on victims’ financial stability. The context identifies the prevalence of economic abuse in community perception and the common forms of financial control that victims experience. The input stage examines the impact of financial control on victims’ economic independence and stability. The process phase explores victims’ coping mechanisms and the effectiveness of available support systems, including legal assistance, financial aid, employment support, and community interventions. The product is in its final stage, focusing on proposing an enhanced. Economic stability framework to mitigate economic abuse, enhance victims’ financial resilience, and promote long-term economic empowerment.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The primary objective of this study is to examine the community’s perception in the province of Albay regarding economic abuse and to assess its impact on the financial stability of the victims. Specifically, the study aims to understand how the community defines, recognizes, and responds to economic abuse, as well as how such perceptions impact the economic conditions and livelihoods of affected individuals. 1. Identify the status of economic abuse in the province of Albay in terms of. A. number of recorded cases B. kinds of economic abuse. C. status of cases. 2. Determine the demographic profile of the respondent in terms of. A. Age. B. Gender. C. Civil status. D. Educational level. E. Income Level. 3. Assess the community perception of economic abuse, along with A. Awareness and Knowledge. B. Attitude Toward Economic Abuse. C. Social Support and Community Resources. D. Behaviour indicators E. Community norms and values. 4. Infer the significant relationship between demographic profile and community perception of economic abuse. 5. Propose an enhanced economic stability framework to lessen economic abuse in the Province of Albay.
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