CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Every minute, a person in our country is physically abused by an intimate partner. 

What You Need To Know

  •  Domestic violence impacts people from all backgrounds 

  •  Data shows intimate partner violence disproportionately affects Black women and Black men

  •  An organization is hosting an event to help more survivors overcome financial burdens and get a fresh start

Although domestic violence affects people from all backgrounds, data shows it significantly impacts individuals from certain communities. 

Data from the National Domestic Violence Hotline shows intimate partner violence disproportionately affects Black women and Black men.

Leaving the abusive relationship can be extremely hard for the victims due to finances.

Numerous studies and reports show the majority of domestic violence victims experience economic abuse during an abusive relationship. 

An organization created to combat domestic violence is taking a step to help survivors, specifically those who are Black, get a new financial start on life. 

Melody Gross is the founder and CEO of Courageous SHIFT. Her team, which includes survivors, is educating companies on how domestic violence impacts the workplace.

This week, Courageous SHIFT is hosting the first Survive+Thrive: Black Financial Health Week. The events aim to empower abuse survivors, supporters and community members with tools to start over and achieve financial freedom.

Black Financial Health Week will include:

  • A virtual financial empowerment series
  • In-person round table with survivors
  • Local resources to support survivors will starting over 

"Tools and strategies not only to just recognize and respond to financial and economic abuse, but understanding what resources are available and how to overcome it as well," Gross said. "Throughout the week, we will have different programs and several panel discussions with financial and legal experts and survivors to share what it takes to become financially free."

Financial freedom for survivors has been a topic discussed among lawmakers.

House Bill 561, also referred to as the North Carolina Coerced Debt Relief Act, was proposed in 2023. 

If passed, the legislation would help to prevent survivors from carrying debt caused by their abusers.

The bill unanimously passed in the House. The bill is currently in a rules committee in the Senate.

North Carolina Rep. Terry Brown is the primary sponsor of HB 561.

In a statement, Brown expressed support for events like Black Financial Health Week. 

“North Carolina should continue to fight for victims of domestic violence, especially those that have experienced financial coercion," Brown said. "I’m excited about Melody Gross and Courageous SHIFT’s efforts. Without the proper financial resources, it makes leaving and saving lives harder, which is why we’re proud to support the inaugural Black Financial Health Week geared toward survivors.”

Gross, a survivor of intimate partner violence, said HB 561 would support survivors restarting their lives. 

She says it's important for more people to understand how financial abuse impacts someone's life. 

"For nearly three years I experienced different forms of intimate partner violence," Gross said. "The biggest part of it was financial abuse. There were ways he would stop me from working and ways he wouldn't contribute to the household. All of that perpetuates financial abuse.

"We know nearly 99% of intimate partner violence relationships experience some form of financial or economic abuse," she said. A big [barrier for survivors] is can I afford to leave. That's what held me back for a long time. I thought I couldn't afford to leave." 

"I had a lightbulb moment and I said I actually can. I'm better off being by myself and potentially struggling financially than to continue in this relationship and possibly lose my life," Gross said. 

Gross hopes her story and inaugural event remind people going through abuse that there are resources out there to help.  

"The biggest thing is finding someone within your circle you can trust," Gross said. "Sometimes, we don't realize there are people willing to support and help us. Just having the courage to say I'm in trouble, that is literally is the first step. The next [step] is seeing what the resources are [available]."

Survive+Thrive: Black Financial Health Week is taking place June 10-14. The events are sponsored by the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence. There is no cost to attend, but registration is requested. 

Additional details about the virtual and in-person programs can be found on the Courageous SHIFT website.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE). 

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