It is a common misconception that financial abuse – including theft and fraud – is inflicted by individuals or organisations at arms-length, by people largely unknown to the victim. However, anecdotal evidence has for some time suggested that a significant amount of financial abuse is inflicted by those much closer to home, namely family members. We need to better understand the scale and nature of financial abuse in families. Only then can we move forward together to ensure it is both prevented and responded to effectively.
