New research reveals hidden crisis of coerced debt trapping women and children in abuse across Scotland
A groundbreaking new research report, “It’s always there, like a shadow behind you”: Women’s Experiences of Coerced Debt and Recovery in Scotland, has uncovered the devastating impact of coerced debt as a form of economic abuse in Scotland and provides recommendations for cross-sector reform. Drawing on survivors’ lived experiences and advocacy workers’ professional insights, the report presents a collective testimony that demands urgent action to prevent further harm.
The report, developed by Scottish Women’s Aid and commissioned by the Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit and Trading Standards Scotland, is the first dedicated qualitative study examining coerced debt as a form of domestic abuse in Scotland.
It reveals that survivors are being trapped by abusers in long-term financial insecurity, often continuing after separation. Crucially, it reveals that responses across financial, public and institutional services frequently exacerbate the harm, with survivors encountering disbelief, victim-blaming and inflexible systems that fail to recognise the abuse underpinning the debt.
Coerced debt involves an abusive partner or ex-partner building up debt in the survivor’s name without consent or knowledge or through force, threat or coercion. The findings show this is not a marginal issue, but a widespread and systemic problem.
A hidden but enduring form of abuse
The research reveals that coerced debt is a common tactic of coercive control, with women reporting debts including credit cards, loans, rent and council tax arrears, utility bills and even debts linked to illegal money lending.
The report also highlights the role of illegal money lending in coerced debt. A small but significant number of survivors described being pushed towards loan sharks as a last resort, often to cover debts created through abuse or to meet basic needs. These lenders, who operate outside the law, frequently use intimidation, threats and extortionate interest rates, trapping survivors in further cycles of fear, control and escalating debt.
Survivors described debt as something “done to them”, rather than a result of their own financial decisions.
The abuse does not end when a relationship ends. Many women continue to face economic abuse post-separation, through joint accounts, unpaid bills, legal costs and child-related expenses.
One survivor described the lasting impact:
“That’s me four and a half years out, and it’s all money related because he cannot get to me any other way.” (Myla)
Severe consequences for women and children
The report highlights the profound and long-term impact of coerced debt on survivors and their families, including:
- Persistent poverty and financial instability
- Damaged credit ratings, restricting access to housing and essential services
- Increased risk of homelessness
- Chronic stress, anxiety and mental ill-health
- Children experiencing deprivation and social exclusion
Many women reported being forced into impossible choices such as skipping meals, taking on further debt, or even returning to abusive partners simply to survive.
Systems failing survivors
A key finding is that current systems frequently fail to recognise coerced debt as a consequence of domestic abuse. Survivors reported being met with disbelief, blame and rigid processes that treat all debt as self-inflicted.
Public debts, particularly council tax arrears, were described as especially punitive, with aggressive enforcement action often pursued against survivors rather than perpetrators.
In some cases, women were denied access to housing or emergency accommodation because of debts created through abuse.
Call for urgent, coordinated action
The report calls for a fundamental shift in how coerced debt is understood and addressed in Scotland, urging coordinated action across government, financial institutions and public services.
Key recommendations include:
- A sustained national public awareness campaign so women can recognise economic abuse and coerced debt and know where to get help.
- Expand and sustain emergency financial support, including the Fund to Leave, to enable survivors to escape abuse safely.
- Provide practical, legal, and financial support to address coerced debt, including debt relief, credit repair, and flexible repayment options.
- Introduce mandatory training on economic abuse for banks, utility companies, councils, courts, police, and the judiciary.
A matter of economic justice
Dr Jenn Glinski, National Policy Lead for Economic Abuse at Scottish Women’s Aid and author of the report, said:
“Coerced debt is trapping women and children in abuse across Scotland. This report makes clear that it is not a side issue, but a central part of how perpetrators exert control.
What is most concerning is that our systems are too often complicit and compound financial harm instead of providing support and solutions. They hold survivors responsible for debts created through abuse while failing to hold perpetrators to account.
Economic justice for survivors means believing women, preventing further harm and ensuring they are not left to carry the financial burden of abuse. The costs of inaction are simply too high.”
Councillor Maureen Chalmers, Chair of Trading Standards Scotland, said:
“This report highlights that illegal money lenders take advantage of people at their most vulnerable. It is vital that we act against illegal lenders who target women facing coerced debt and economic abuse.
“Through strong partnership working across Scotland, we are committed to protecting individuals and acting against those who operate illegally. Over the past few years, we have seen an increase in loan sharks being reported to the Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit and it is important for people to understand that they are the victim of a crime and have done nothing wrong by borrowing from a loan shark”
“Staff from the Illegal Money Lending team can provide support and advice to people impacted by loan sharks. This is done through the 24/7 confidential support line, 0800 074 0878 or by visiting https://stopillegallending.co.uk/ . Staff can also help people to access local services, including debt advice services, credit unions, addiction counselling and local support groups.”
Read the report summary: https://womensaid.scot/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/SWA-Coerced-Debt-Report-Summary-2026.pdf
Read the full report: https://womensaid.scot/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/SWA-Coerced-Debt-Report-2026.pdf