Women turning to loan sharks due to debt racked up by abusive partners

Women are being forced to turn to loan sharks due to a "hidden" but devastating form of economic abuse, new research has shown.

Scottish Women's Aid has published a study on the scourge of coerced debt – where an abusive current or ex-partner builds up debt in their victim's name, either without consent or knowledge or through force, threat or coercion.

This research – believed to be the first focused insight into the problem in Scotland – revealed a "small but significant" number of women have been "pushed towards illegal money lenders, often due to extreme financial pressure".

Dr Jenn Glinski, author of the report and the national policy lead for economic abuse at Scottish Women's Aid, 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."

Abuse is 'widespread'

The report – commissioned by the Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit and Trading Standards Scotland – described coerced debt as being a "hidden but widespread form of economic abuse".

It said such behaviour was a "common and deliberate tactic" used by perpetrators to trap women financially, restrict their choices and undermine their ability to leave or rebuild their lives.

The report added the women were having to "adopt financial survival strategies" to manage the debt, such as relying on family for financial assistance; going without essentials; selling possessions; taking on further debt; returning to their abusive partner; or engaging in unsafe or exploitative work.

It said "what survivors need is not short-term fixes but systemic change", as well as "understanding of economic abuse, recognition of coerced debt" and "survivor-centred debt relief".

Scottish Women's Aid is calling for a national campaign to raise understanding of economic abuse, financial abuse, and coerced debt.

In addition, the charity said economic abuse must be formally recognised as domestic abuse by justice authorities.

It also wants to see a Scottish coerced debt relief scheme introduced to help victims, which could "pause, reduce, or write off debts" owed to devolved public bodies, such as council tax and rent arrears, where they have arisen from domestic abuse.

Survivors 'held responsible' for debts

Dr Glinski added: "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."

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Maureen Chalmers, chair of Trading Standards Scotland, said the report highlights that "illegal money lenders take advantage of people at their most vulnerable".

She added: "It is vital that we act against illegal lenders who target women facing coerced debt and economic abuse."

The Scottish government said it was "committed" to tackling violence against women and girls in all its forms and has invested £21.6m this year through its Delivering Equally Safe fund.

A spokesperson added: "In December 2025, we announced funding for the launch of a new national helpline, the Purple Phone, run by Financially Included to help women experiencing economic or financial abuse by their partner, and the Scottish government has committed to support this work until March 2028.

"This is alongside support for women and their children to leave an abusive partner through the Fund to Leave initiative. £2m has been allocated to it in 2026-27, which could help up to 2,400 women in Scotland."

If you are in need of support, call the Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit on 0800 074 0878. You can also call the Purple Phone helpline on 0343 841 0132.

(c) Sky News 2026: Women turning to loan sharks due to debt racked up by abusive partners