Financial abuse most accurately describes behavior in which an abuser?

The behavior that most accurately describes financial abuse is the refusal to allow a partner to get or keep a job. This form of abuse restricts the victim's autonomy and ability to earn their own income, effectively creating dependency on the abuser. By preventing a partner from working, the abuser exerts control over the victim's financial situation and limits their access to resources necessary for independence.

In the context of financial abuse, the primary concern is the abuser's tactics that limit the victim's financial autonomy and overall empowerment. While controlling the family budget and withholding money can also represent elements of financial abuse, they often happen within a relationship context where there may be some level of agreement or negotiation. Investing in joint savings accounts does not constitute financial abuse; rather, it suggests a collaborative approach to finances, which would typically be contrary to the dynamics of an abusive relationship. Thus, the most explicit and harmful form of financial abuse highlighted here is the outright prevention of employment, as it directly undermines the victim's ability to be financially independent.