Domestic violence, defined by California law, is abuse that takes place within families, specifically with respect to children, parents and grandparents, and between intimate partners. Intimate partners who are involved in LGBT relationships are those who are or were living together, those who are or were dating, those who are or were civilly united and those who have children together. Domestic abuse can take on many forms, the most common being physical, emotional and financial abuse.

Financial abuse, also known as financial manipulation, economic manipulation, economic dependence and economic abuse, occurs when an individual exerts power over his or her intimate partner or another family member by stealing from his or her intimate partner or other family member or by withholding or preventing access to money, checks, credit cards and necessities such as food, clothing, shelter and/or medicine from his or her intimate partner or other family member. Draining bank accounts or accessing other lines of credit are additional ways that an individual can financially assert power over a family member or intimate partner. When these types of theft occur, the victim’s ability to find new housing or employment may be adversely affected, which acts as a significant barrier to self-sufficiency and empowerment. It should be noted that if any of the above takes place against one’s own child, a child abuse charge of child endangerment might be filed against the parent.

Economic abuse is a type of emotional abuse and can leave a victim feeling helpless. Although this type of economic dependence usually takes place between intimate partners, other family members may be affected as well. If a child steals from his or her parent, that is financial abuse and will be treated as a form of domestic violence. It should be noted that the juvenile justice system is different from the adult criminal system and the child would not be prosecuted in the same manner as an adult offender would. Similarly, a child could steal from a grandparent, an adult could steal from an elder parent or an individual could steal from his or her elder significant other, which could all be prosecuted as elder financial abuse, falling within the jurisdiction of DV law.

Financial abuse affects victims in much the same way as any other type of domestic abuse. Victims of economic abuse often feel hopeless and trapped in an emotionally draining relationship. They may develop significant health problems or suffer from anxiety, stress, depression, low self-esteem and may even resort to destructive behavior. Sometimes the abusive partner may force his or her intimate partner to assume sole responsibility for the bills, may demand his or her paychecks and/or may force him or her or his or her child to commit crimes in order to obtain money. With respect to a same sex relationship, GBLT couples are often not as financially tied to each other as their heterosexual counterparts, which can be a benefit if the abused partner chooses to leave the relationship. When their lives are financially intertwined, however, the abused partner must make sure that he or she consults with a gay-friendly attorney who will make sure that he or she receives what is rightfully his or hers.

Individuals who are being financially abused should speak to an attorney about their legal rights and should seek help to learn how to safely leave an abusive relationship. The individual who has been charged with financially abusing another must speak to a California domestic violence lawyer who knows how to successfully defend such a case. The trusted, LGBT supportive attorneys at the Kavinoky Law Firm have law offices conveniently located in Los Angeles and throughout California. They specialize in intimate partner abuse charges and in all that go along with this special class of crimes. The Kavinoky Firm has successfully defended countless individuals charged with domestic violence and treats each client with the respect and compassion that he or she deserves. For legal advice relating to a domestic violence financial abuse charge, contact them today for a free consultation.