No one has the right to use your money or control how you use your money. Financial abuse is used to control a person through their finances. For instance, by deciding what you may or may not purchase, denying you access to your money or cheating you out of your money.

A person being financially abused can become isolated and lose their independence. Since they become dependent upon the person who is abusing them, it can be very difficult to terminate the relationship.

Gives you pocket money and monitors what you purchase. 

Transfers your money into their bank account and refuses you access to it. 

Prevents you from seeing information regarding shared bank accounts.

Forbids you to work or restricts the amount of work you do. 

Uses your shared finances in excess without your permission. 

Uses money to control you because you have little or no access to money. 

Uses your cards without your permission. 

Takes loans in your name without your permission.

It is always best to talk to someone about how you are feeling and what you are experiencing. If you want assistance, contact these abuse support centres: Bjarkarhlíð in Reykjavík or Bjarmahlíð in Akureyri. It doesn‘t matter how long it has been since the abuse occurred.

Everyone, both adults or children, can talk to someone at 1717 (Red Cross helpline).

Your Rights! Important Information for Immigrants in Iceland

Ólafur is a modest man in his eighties who lives in his own home. One of his grandchildren, Hrafnhildur, often helps him  ...

Ólafur is a modest man in his eighties who lives in his own home. One of his grandchildren, Hrafnhildur, often helps him with things that are difficult for him, such as going to the store and paying bills. Ólafur gave Hrafnhildur access to his online bank for this purpose.

A few months later when Ólafur was going to buy himself a new sofa it turned out that Hrafnhildur had regularly transferred money from his account to hers.

Bjarkarhlíð offers help to all people who have suffered abuse. You will be well taken care of here.

If you or anyone you know has been abused, or been a victim of human trafficking, you can contact a counselor at Bjarmahlíð. There you will have access to a police officer, a lawyer, a social worker, and other organizations that offer support. Everyone is welcome, and there is no cost associated with services or counseling.

The building is wheelchair accessible. If you need, you can get sign language or language interpretation.

Bjarkarhlíð is located near Bústaðarvegur in Reykjavík. Opening hours are on weekdays from 9–5. It is best to book a time through their website, calling their phone number: 553 3000. You can also send an email to bjarkarhlid@bjarkarhlid.is.

Family Justice Center for Survivors of Violence

Íslenska, English. Language and sign language interpretation.

Bjarkarhlíð is a center for people who have experienced abuse. There you get all the support and counseling you need in one place. All assistance is on your terms.

Please notify first if you need wheelchair access.

Bjarmahlíð in Akureyri helps all people who have suffered abuse. 

If you or anyone you know has been abused, you can contact a counselor at Bjarmahlíð. There you will have access to a police officer, a lawyer, a social worker, and other organizations that offer support. Everyone is welcome, and there is no cost associated with services or counseling.

If necessary, you can receive sign language interpretation or language interpretation. The building is not wheelchair accessible, so if you need such access, please mention this when you book an appointment, a counselor can then meet with you at the Social Services office of Akureyri located in Glerárgata. 

Bjarmahlíð is located at Aðalstræti 14 in Akureyri. The office is open weekdays from 10 am to 2 pm. It is best to book a time on their website or call via telephone 551 2520. You can also send them an email at bjarmahlid@bjarmahlid.is.

Bjarmahlíð is a center for people who have experienced abuse. There you get all the support and counseling you need in one place. All assistance is on your terms.

Notify in advance if you need wheelchair accessibility

The Women‘s shelter offers counseling and a safe place to stay for any woman who has experienced abuse in a close relationship.

The Women's Shelter is a house where women and their children can reside for a short period if they cannot live at home due to abuse or violence. If you have been subjected to abuse, you can come to the shelter for counseling; you do not have to reside in the shelter. It doesn't matter when the abuse occurred. There is no cost for speaking to a counselor.

The counselors speak English; you can also request to speak with a French or Spanish fluent counselor. For other languages, you can get an interpreter. You can also get a sign language interpreter if you need. 

The Women's Shelter is located in Reykjavik and Akureyri, and serves the need of women all over the country. 

You can call the Women’s Shelter 24 hours a day at their phone number 561 1205 for immediate support or you can make an appointment with a counselor through their website. You can also send them an email to kvennaathvarf@kvennaathvarf.is. All women are welcome: Icelandic, foreign, disabled, queer, trans or of any age (over 18).

Icelandic, English. Language and Sign Language interpretation

The Women‘s Shelter offers counseling and a safe place to stay for any woman who has experienced abuse in a close relationship. 

Digital abuse is when someone uses technology or technological devices to monitor, harass, threaten, or humiliate you.

Financial abuse is when someone cheats you of your money, steals from you, or denies you access to your money.

Financial Abuse

Control through finances

It is financial abuse if a person:

Get help

More information

Do you recognize abuse?

Ólafur

Is this abuse?

More resources

Bjarkarhlíð

Bjarmahlíð in Akureyri

Women's Shelter

Digital abuse