Centre of Excellence for Debt and Economic Abuse Services (CEDEAS)
We have supported victim-survivors with their money worries since 2011
Our pioneering service is leading the way in advising victim-survivors through a lens of economic safety with their debts. We work in partnership with Surviving Economic Abuse, and the voice of victim-survivors is at the heart of our work.
Our approach
One of MAP’s four values is ‘We work in partnership.’ We know that we can only achieve our aims and objectives if we work with others. Much of the success we have had so far has been through collaboration. Our partnership with Surviving Economic Abuse is at the forefront of our work and together we are stronger. We will continue to hold our partners in high regard and look to build other partnerships that help us deliver the CEDEAS mission.
Economic abuse is a legally recognised form of domestic abuse
Affecting millions of people across the UK every year. It has devastating and long-lasting impacts, robbing individuals of their financial independence and trapping them in harmful situations. At Money Advice Plus, we are committed to helping victim-survivors regain financial control and rebuild their lives.
Economic abuse involves behaviours of restriction, exploitation and sabotage
That interfere with a person’s ability to acquire, use and maintain economic resources. In the context of domestic abuse, it commonly takes place alongside physical, sexual and psychological abuse.
Trauma and Domestic Abuse-informed Approach
We know that economic abuse can make victims feel vulnerable and anxious. That’s why our advisors are trained to listen, believe, and provide practical advice that empowers you to make informed decisions. We give you options and work with you to plan each step toward economic independence.
Our mission
Our CEDEAS mission is to empower and support victim-survivors of economic abuse, by creating opportunities for all to move forward with economic safety and financial resilience, by providing a client-centred, responsive, confidential money and debt advice service.
We will be needs based, putting needs of victim survivors at the centre
We will put accessibility, quality and sustainability at the centre of our service
We will be consultative and work in partnership
We will build on best practice, the wealth of knowledge advisors
We will be evidence based to inform service provision and achieve equality outcomes
We will be bold and have a long-term vision
We will be realistic with delivery matching capacity with growth
We will work at the right pace balancing demand with service developments
Under the banner of CEDEAS, we have different services we can offer
Financial Support Line
Our Financial Support Line provides immediate, expert guidance for anyone experiencing financial difficulties as a result of domestic abuse. Our trained advisors understand the complexities of economic abuse and offer compassionate, trauma-informed support.
Casework service
Our Casework Service offers tailored, long-term money and debt advice for those needing more in-depth assistance. We help navigate debt solutions, maximise income, and secure financial stability through a personalised approach prioritising safety and well-being.
Economic Abuse Evidence Form (EAEF)
The EAEF is an information-sharing tool that provides a single mechanism through which advisors can tell an organisation that someone has experienced economic abuse.
“I can easily say life changing, things could have been very different if I didn’t make that phone call… I don’t think I could ever explain to somebody who doesn’t know me and my situation, just [how] life changing it’s been.”
Ms Q was subjected to physical, psychological, emotional, economic, and financial abuse by her husband the alleged perpetrator (AP).
They were married abroad in an arranged marriage set up by their families. Prior to the wedding Ms Q had been living independently in the UK, working & studying at university. When the perpetrator joined Ms Q in the UK a year later, he took control of many aspects of her life – what she wore, ate, who she saw, all the household finances, her bank account and forced her to drop out of University. The AP was not working or contributing financially. The AP subjected Ms Q to emotional and psychological abuse, he was derogatory to her calling her names in front of other people. He threatened her telling her he would take the children if she ever left him.
Ms Q asked their fathers to intervene in 2020 and he permitted her to go back to university to carry on with her studies. In January 2021 the perpetrator took the client and their children to visit his family abroad. After two weeks he returned to the UK taking Ms Q’s and the children’s passports with him, leaving her and the children stranded with his family abroad.
The perpetrator and his family coerced Ms Q into taking out a £20,000 loan with a major high street bank. Once this was paid to the perpetrator, his family became more violent towards her. Ms Q contacted her national embassy, but they were unable to provide new travel documents for the children without their father’s consent, which he refused.
Ms Q was able to flee and entered the Embassy for safety. With the help of her friend and her university back in the UK, Ms Q was helped to seek an emergency application in the UK High Court to instruct the consulate to issue the children’s travel documents. Ms Q and her children were returned to the UK together safely.
Whilst Ms Q was stranded abroad, her local council informed her of a housing benefit overpayment of over £41,000. This had occurred because the perpetrator, who controlled the claim, had not informed the Council of her student status.
On returning to the UK Ms Q discovered that the perpetrator had disposed of all their belongings and ended their tenancy. She borrowed money to pay rent in advance to get back into the property. The perpetrator threatened her life, so she contacted the National Domestic Abuse helpline who arranged a safe place for her and her children.
MAP were able to support Ms Q with in-depth casework for 2 years. We made a write off requested supported by an EAEF for the loan and the bank agreed to write off the whole balance.
We liaised with the Local Council and challenged the overpayment of over £41,000, it was first reduced to £30,000 which we challenged again. When the final figure of £12,000 was agreed asked for write off (not supported by and EAEF). After 9 months with lots of information being provided, a complaint raised the council agreed to write of the remaining balance. Council Tax liability was corrected, and the student discount applied, clearing over £1,000 of arrears.
Training Programme
MAP offers bespoke training on economic abuse and debt. We have trained a wide variety of professionals and victim-survivors that is delivered in partnership with Surviving Economic Abuse. Survivor’s voice is at the centre of our training, and we use our expert knowledge of debt and economic abuse to create impactful and practical training.
Our training
- Economic Abuse Evidence Form
- Economic Abuse for Debt Adviser
- Economic Abuse for Debt Management Companies
- Economic Abuse and Financial Resilience
“The training was insightful, clear, informative and well delivered. My awareness and understanding has increased which is important for my training role. Thank you.”
