Financial abuse — when an intimate partner controls the money to keep their mate in dependency and bondage — is the shockingly common sign of domestic violence hiding in plain sight.

The article talks about the author's struggle with financial abuse within her relationship and covers how to spot financial abuse in relationships and protect yourself when money is used as a weapon. Through the artwork I wanted to highlight all the various scenarios and anxieties that arise from being in a financially abusive setup and the red flags one needs to look out for in order to identify these stressors.

The subject matter of the article is heavy and triggering as much as it is informative and educational, so I wanted to tap into those narratives of power, control, financial dependency, manipulation and broken relationships it brings to light through a mix of direct & abstract imagery interspersed across the illustration. 

Article By: Tamara E. Holmes, Art Director: Dian Holton