Although it is less commonly understood than other forms of intimate partner violence, financial abuse ranks as one of the most powerful methods of keeping a victim trapped in an abusive relationship. Research shows that victims often are reluctant to end an abusive relationship because they are concerned about their financial security or their ability to provide financially for themselves and their children. Financial abuse involves controlling a victim's ability to acquire, access, and maintain financial resources or other economic safety nets. Victims of this form of abuse may have their education or job opportunities hijacked, be required to hand over their paychecks, and/or be intentionally kept in the dark about finances. In some cases, victims may have their credit destroyed. Others may face frightening tax consequences because of the abuse they endured. Financial abuse, particularly when coupled with other forms of coercive control and emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, is deeply damaging with effects that last long after the toxic relationship has ended.