A Trauma-Informed Approach to Financial Empowerment
Research from the UA Domestic Violence Law Clinic suggests that financial literacy programs often lack the trauma-informed approach shown to especially benefit intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors and vulnerable populations. Our project aims to educate the public about financial trauma, help reimagine the meaning of financial wellness, and encourage further work.
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Watch this short film by the UA's Consortium on Gender-Based Violence about the origins and the motivations behind our project.
Our clinic has developed a training module to help guide community advocates deliver resources related to economic empowerment in ways that are truly trauma-informed.
Filling in a Gap
Our research has revealed that traditional financial literacy programs—even some of those geared specifically towards helping IPV survivors—often fail to fully acknowledge and account for physical, psychological, or economic abuse and trauma as a major deterrent in the pursuit of financial wellness.
Our project aims to fill this gap by helping service providers, financial educators, and other advocates understand the role that trauma plays in IPV victims' relationship to money and the ways in which trauma can undercut their ability to achieve financial wellness.
An Economic Justice Framework
When seeking financial wellness, many survivors are faced with difficult obstacles imposed by our economic system. Our project seeks to raise awareness of the fact that many times what’s broken isn’t the person, but the economic structures in which our clients are expected to operate.
Our Goals:
EDUCATE & NORMALIZE
Raise awareness about financial trauma, normalize responses to traumatic situations, and be cognizant of the detrimental effects of shame.
RE-IMAGINE
Help re-imagine financial empowerment programs to integrate a holistic approach. Decenter financial “know-how” and focus on healing the emotional, psychological, and systemic effects of trauma on survivors.
AN invitation into action
We invite others to continue developing and integrating these concepts in their role as advocate, provider of financial wellness services, or leader in their community.
Meet Our Partners:
