Financial abuse is when someone cheats you of your money, steals from you, or denies you access to your money.
All individuals in Iceland, 18 years or older, are financially competent. That means that you should have control of your own income and assets, can have a bank account in your name over which you have control and is inaccessible to others.
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.
Examples:
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.
It is always best to talk to someone about how you are feeling and what you are experiencing. If you want assistance, contact abuse support centres for free: Bjarkarhlíð in Reykjavík, Bjarmahlíð in Akureyri or Sigurhæðir in Selfoss. It doesn‘t matter how long it has been since the abuse occurred.
Everyone, both adults and children, can also talk to someone for free at 1717 (Red Cross helpline) through phone or web chat.
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. He does not believe that she has been stealing but when he asks her about this she says she thinks she deserves this and will not pay him back.
Studies have shown that some people are more likely to experience violence than others.
Digital abuse is when someone uses technology or technological devices to monitor, harass, threaten, or humiliate you.
