Executive Summary

This report explores the potential impacts that a Basic Income Guarantee program, also called a Guaranteed Livable Income, could have for people who have experienced or are experiencing gender-based violence. A total of 35 individuals affected by gender-based violence as well as service providers took part in focus groups and interviews to better understand how financial constraints impacted people’s experiences of violence. The findings from these focus groups and interviews are presented by the themes identified.

Socioeconomic Status and Stigma in PEI Communities

Gender-based violence happens to people at all levels of socio-economic status. Feelings of shame or stigmatization in the community for speaking out about experiences of violence, or for seeking help, can be prevalent for those with a higher socio-economic status. The small, interconnected nature of the PEI community can make this even more challenging, particularly if a perpetrator of violence is well known and respected in the community. It can also be difficult for those experiencing gender-based violence to leave a financially stable household without knowing they will have access to a basic income, as there is no guarantee they will continue to have access to financial resources.

Living in poverty does not directly cause one to act violently. At  the same time, it was also recognized that economic hardship increases the strain on families, which can further contribute to the incidence of violence. The mental energy and time required to meet basic needs without access to a livable income can make it difficult to focus on addressing issues of abuse or improving mental health and well-being. For many, financial limitations also prevent them from leaving abusive situations safely, trapping them in harmful environments with few viable options for escape. Current social realities on PEI, such as insufficient social assistance levels and the ongoing housing crisis, add additional strain. Those working low-paid seasonal jobs also face additional economic vulnerabilities. Many experience intergenerational poverty, and find themselves trapped in a cycle of poverty that is difficult to escape.

Power and Control in Abusive Relationships

Financial coercion and control are prevalent within many abusive relationships. This is made more difficult when access to income is not equal between partners, with women being more likely to earn less than men, or have limited access to income. For many, the perpetrator of violence in a relationship also has primary control over the household finances. Leaving an abusive relationship can also mean giving up one’s share of any household assets. Personal income can be targeted by perpetrators who manipulate, and use threats or violence to take money and resources away from vulnerable individuals.

Perpetrators often actively limit their partner’s access to income as well as control social interactions and connections with family and friends, limiting their social networks and options for supports should they try to leave the relationship. Women are also more likely to take time off of work to raise children, further limiting access to connections outside of the home and financial independence. A Basic Income Guarantee could help increase opportunities for social connection, to learn about programs and supports, and to get help.

Shared Income, Resources, and Debt

Partner’s lives and finances are often intertwined in complex ways that allow for manipulation, control, and abuse to continue, even after one has left the relationship. Additionally, access to social programs determined through family income without an accessible process to recalculate based on individual income, can be problematic for those leaving an abusive relationship, since on paper, they may appear to be in a better financial situation than they are independently. New immigrants to Canada whose immigration status may be tied to a partner face additional challenges.

Many couples have shared bank accounts or debts, allowing former partners to continue to have access to income or financial records. Shared cell phone plans, email accounts or vehicles also pose risks and limitations for those leaving abusive relationships. Some also expressed concerns for the perpetrator’s financial wellbeing and future relationship with their children should they speak up or seek help when experiencing violence. A Basic Income Guarantee available to anyone in financial need would help to alleviate concerns about the potential impacts for perpetrators that may act as a barrier to someone leaving an abusive relationship.

Children and Intergenerational Impacts

Being a parent adds additional considerations for those leaving an abusive relationship. Not knowing where you and your children will live or how you will make ends meet is a significant barrier to leaving abuse. Leaving an abusive relationship can also mean having to leave one’s community and support system, as well as disruption from children’s school, activities, and regular routine. A Basic Income Guarantee could provide critical financial stability and allow parents more time to focus on supporting their children through this difficult time.

Intergenerational experiences of abuse were shared by many participants, who had experienced abuse in their homes as children and also in their adult relationships. A Basic Income Guarantee could help break this cycle of abuse by supporting financially vulnerable people to leave abusive situations.

Income, Social Assistance, and Other Support Programs

Uncertainty about access to social assistance or other support services can be a barrier to someone feeling empowered to leave an abusive relationship. Even when one is able to gain access to a program like social assistance, the amounts received are below poverty levels and not enough to make ends meet. Having to tell one’s story multiple times to different service providers can be a difficult and dehumanizing experience, and understanding the eligibility process and rules can be daunting.

Access to legal services for those leaving abusive relationships was highlighted as a particular challenge, with support to navigate child custody and child support access issues being primary concerns for many. Access to legal aid is limited and does not cover all areas of the law, such as the division of assets. Legal aid is also only accessible to those who qualify. While a Basic Income Guarantee would provide financial stability, it would not resolve these systemic barriers to legal representation. Expanding legal aid eligibility and coverage, particularly for victims of family violence, could help address these gaps and ensure more equitable access to justice.

Housing

The realities of the current housing crisis and limited access to affordable housing options can be a significant factor for those considering leaving an abusive relationship. Precarious rental housing situations were also highlighted by many. While a Guaranteed Basic Income would not directly address shortages in affordable and accessible housing, many expressed that it would provide some financial stability that would alleviate some stress and perhaps open up some options for those struggling with finding suitable housing.

Autonomy and Choice

The ability to be empowered to plan and make choices about one’s life was highlighted by several participants as a benefit of having access to a Basic Income Guarantee. For those wanting to leave an abusive relationship, knowing they will have access to a basic income would help them to make plans to leave and can empower them to choose when and how they will do it. Without access to a reliable basic income, the financial hardships experienced after leaving an abusive relationship can cause someone to return to an abusive relationship to be able to make ends meet financially.

Gender-Based Violence in the Workplace

Gender-based violence also happens in workplaces, such as sexual harassment, discrimination, and physical violence. Fear that one may lose their job or face consequences within the workplace can be a deterrent to speaking up about gender-based violence. Additionally, the close-knit, interconnected nature of PEI communities and industries adds additional concern that one might be labeled as “problematic” and not be able to find another job. This can be a particular concern for those in the “gig” economy. A Basic Income Guarantee could provide financial stability while seeking justice through the human rights commission, or allow people to further their education and retrain in a new profession, and develop new skills that will help them in the labour market after leaving a job.

Recommendations for a Basic Income Guarantee Program

• A Basic Income Guarantee must be sufficient to meet the essential needs of individuals and families.
• Interactions with other social benefits and programs must be considered to ensure no one is worse off receiving a Basic Income Guarantee.
• All other programs and supports must remain in place to ensure the complex needs of those experiencing or leaving gender-based violence are met.
• A Basic Income Guarantee must be provided to individuals, with mechanisms in place to react quickly to changes in relationship status. These mechanisms should update benefit amounts and change the method or destination of the basic income benefit when appropriate.
• A Basic Income Guarantee should have protocols in place to screen individuals and families for gender-based violence. Given that financial control is a form of abuse present in many cases of gender based-violence, having protocols in place to identify recipients experiencing abuse is crucial.
• Educational opportunities should be available for those who would benefit from additional support and information to effectively manage finances independently after leaving an abusive relationship.

Introduction

Cooper Institute and Women’s Network PEI partnered tocarry out this project. Cooper Institute is the project leadand they partnered with Women’s Network to implementmany of the activities of the project. The Women’s Networkof PEI works with a wide range of women and gender-diverse people, of which many have experienced variousforms of gender-based violence throughout their lives.Gender-based violence has profound and lasting impacts,requiring a range of interventions to support both victimsand perpetrators in living safely. While financial hardshipis only one factor in experiences of violence, economicinsecurity can make it significantly harder to leave unsafesituations or access necessary supports. Many alsoexperience financial hardships either in conjunction withgender-based violence, or that are created or exacerbatedwhen leaving situations of gender-based violence. The goalof this project is to better understand the connections between Guaranteed Livable Income and violenceprevention in PEI. For this project, individuals affected bygender-based violence as well as service providers tookpart in focus groups and interviews to explore howfinancial constraints impacted people’s experiences ofviolence and their ability to seek safety and stability.

Methods

At the project’s outset, a steering committee was created to lead the project planning and management. The steering committee was made up of representatives from the Women’s Network of PEI, Cooper Institute, The PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women, and the PEI Working Group for a Livable Income. Leading Impact Consulting Inc. was hired to facilitate the focus groups and interviews, and prepare the final report in collaboration with the steering
committee.

In June 2024, the steering committee began discussing data collection methods and outreach for the focus groups and interviews. A list was created of organizations on PEI that work with individuals who have experienced gender-based violence and their primary contacts. It was also decided that individuals with lived experience of gender-based violence who had worked with or attended previous Women’s Network of PEI programs would be invited to participate. The Women’s Network of PEI staff provided names and contact information for individuals who they felt were at a stage in their recovery from abuse such that engaging in this project and sharing their views and experiences would not cause them further harm.

Leading Impact Consulting Inc. prepared a draft recruitment email, focus group and interview guide, and a consent form. The consent form outlined the purpose and funding source for the project, how the information they share would be used,and that any identifying information would be removed from any reports. Consent was also received from all participants to record the interviews with the agreement that recordings would only be reviewed by the research team and deleted at the end of the project. The steering committee reviewed the draft documents and revisions were made based on the committee’s feedback. (See appendix A, focus group and interview guide, and appendix B, consent form).

In order to help facilitate discussion, the steering committee decided that a Gender Based Violence Worksheet created by the PEI Advisory Council for the Status of Women would be shared with participants(Appendix C), identifying different forms of gender-based violence. It was also decided that Marie Burge from Cooper Institute would attend the focus group sand provide an overview of Basic Income Guarantee before each focus group(Appendix D). The interviews were conducted one-on-one, with the interviewer sharing a brief description of Basic Income Guarantee. Descriptions of Basic Income Guarantee were based on the model outlined in the report “A Proposal for a Guaranteed Basic Income Benefit in Prince Edward Island”.

Emails for each participant were gathered as part of the consent process so that a draft of the final report could be shared with all participants before being made public. The draft report was shared with participants for review in advance as an additional measure to ensure no identifying information would appear in the report.

Outreach to individuals and organizations began in July 2024 and continued through the duration of the data-gathering process. Participants were provided with the option to participate in a focus group or interview, depending on their personal preference and comfort level. The focus groups and interviews took place from September to December 2024. Each focus group and interview was audio recorded, and notes were taken during the focus groups by a Leading Impact
Consultant.

A total of four focus groups and five individual interviews were conducted for this project. The composition of the four focus groups was as follows:

Service providers working with individuals who had experienced gender-based violence (5 participants), members and staff of the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women (10
participants), former or current Women’s Network of PEI program participants with lived experience of gender-based violence (4 participants), and members of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence PEI steering committee (11 new participants with 2 who had participated in a previous focus group). A total of 35 participants were engaged throughout this project. Distinctions in the subsequent report are not made between service providers and those with lived experience, as some participants identified as both service providers and as individuals with lived experience of gender-based violence. All focus group and interview recordings and notes were reviewed and analyzed by the project lead consultant to identify themes and ensure the accuracy of quotes. A draft of the complete project report was prepared by Leading Impact Consulting Inc. and shared with the steering committee in early February 2025. The report content was revised based on the steering committee’s feedback. Final report design elements were implemented before sharing the report with all project participants for final review.

Findings

This report explores the potential impacts that a Basic Income Guarantee program, also called a Guaranteed Livable Income, could have for people who have experienced or are experiencing gender-based violence. A total of 35 individuals affected by gender-based violence as well as service providers took part in focus groups and interviews to better understand how financial constraints impacted people’s experiences of violence. The findings from these focus groups and interviews are presented by the themes identified.

Socioeconomic Status and Stigma in PEI Communities

Gender-Based Violence Happens at all Income Levels

It was regularly acknowledged throughout the focus groups and interviews that gender-based violence happens to people at all levels of socio-economic status. Experiences of gender-based violence and abuse within families are complex, and rooted in issues of power and control.

“When we are talking about gender-based violence, we are mostly talking about male violence, and it is in a context of power and control and a lack of equality in relationships, and so the stress might put you over the edge into choosing violence…but it’s really important to say that financial stress isn’t the cause of violence.”

Those from higher-income households who are experiencing violence or abuse within the home may experience feelings of embarrassment or shame, or feel stigmatized in their community when accessing supports or the shelter system.

“You might be in a situation where you’re in a high socio- economic bracket, and to leave that financial stability to move into a safer situation, but to be in a more precarious financial situation is a very risky move.”

It can be difficult to leave an economically stable household when one’s independent access to income or to housing is not guaranteed. Even those in higher-income households may not have actual access to finances, as abusers often restrict or control financial resources. This can become a significant barrier when seeking supports such as legal aid. The perception of financial stability or what is “on paper” does not always reflect a person’s actual ability to access resources. Leaving an abusive relationship can also mean leaving one’s community and social connections.

“Word of mouth is a big thing and people in positions of power and influence, if they inflict harm on somebody, there also becomes that social stigma of like, can I speak up?”

The small, interconnected nature of PEI communities can make it difficult to access supports without others finding out. For families that are well known, or if a perpetrator is a person of high social standing or authority in the community, it can be difficult to speak out or get help.

“You can feel constantly under a microscope in PEI, and people fear going for legal advice at the risk of being seen at a lawyer’s office. It makes it difficult to try to protect yourself and plan your next steps, when you think people are going to see you in the waiting room. This can also put your personal safety at risk if your abusive partner finds out.”

If a perpetrator is generally well respected in the community, people may question or not believe they are abusive, instead blaming the victim for breaking up the family. Perpetrators are often perceived as calm, rational, friendly, or charming, which can further decrease the likelihood that
service providers will take a victim’s reports of violence or abuse seriously. A commonly used strategy is to ensure the victim appears dysregulated—heightening the perception that they are “crazy”—while the perpetrator maintains composure and aligns with other service providers, reinforcing doubt about the victim’s credibility.

“Who are the abusers’ allies? Many. Especially if your husband is well respected, and there’s all these family secrets… like he’s a Minister or a Firefighter or someone else who is well respected. Who is going to believe you?”

Additional Challenges of Living Low-Income or in Poverty

“Who is worthy? We have to get to the point where everyone is worthy enough to eat and live. Who is not worthy. Who would you pick to say ‘you are not worthy’…It (BIG) would say ‘I am worthy. I am a person who is worthy of basic needs’, and that would say a lot to individuals”

While living in poverty does not directly cause one to act violently, many identified that economic hardship increases the strain on families which can further contribute to the incidence of violence.

“Financial pressures and the affordability crisis are creating a lot of tension in relationships. There may not have been as many instances of physical abuse until things start getting
really tight financially in the home, so it’s also creating environments that potentially might have been in that unhealthy relationship kind of area before to become more violent and actually very harmful.”

For those living low-income or in poverty, trying to meet your and your family’s basic needs is overwhelming, draining, and time-consuming. Coordinating accessing services like food banks and social assistance programs leaves limited capacity for anything else.

“If you focus entirely on how to get food on the table and how to keep a roof over your head, you have no opportunity to engage in any sort of therapeutic intervention or work on trauma or any of that.”

When one’s mental energy is focused on everyday necessities like paying the rent, the electric bill, medications, and putting food on the table, there is very little energy left to dedicate to addressing issues of abuse or improving mental health and well-being.

“You’re trying to get your mental health fixed, but you have to worry about all this other stuff, and I think that’s the biggest thing for me, like holy hell if I didn’t have that worry on my head… I can deal with the other stuff.”

Living low-income or in poverty means for many that basic needs are simply not met, or that they have to choose between things like buying food or paying the rent. This can have long-term impacts on physical and mental health and well-being. Many experience intergenerational poverty, and find themselves trapped in a cycle of poverty that is difficult to escape.

“Having access to income and feeling like a human being is really important… knowing that you have basic income if you lose your job, or when you don’t have a job, or you are between jobs, all of those things, would make a huge difference in terms of violence, either to help you get out of a violent situation and/or if you are the perpetrator to maybe get some psycho-educational interactions with some professionals to stop the violence.”

Having insufficient income to meet one’s basic needs puts people at increased risk of violence in many ways. For example, individuals may be more likely to engage in illegal, unhealthy, or dangerous activities to earn money, such as sex work, which also makes one more vulnerable to
experiencing gender-based violence.

“We see individuals who are either stuck on the streets or are stuck in transient housing opportunities because it’s all they have. We don’t have any wrap-around services or any guaranteed resources that are sustainable for folks.”

Living on social assistance in particular was identified as increasing this vulnerability because rates are set below poverty levels. Housing insecurity and homelessness also greatly increase the risk of experiencing gender- based violence.

“If you don’t have the ability to meet your basic needs, if the money you make, in whatever way you make it, doesn’t meet your basic needs, you are automatically unsafe.”

The seasonal nature of work on PEI can also have an impact on the financial and emotional strain a family experiences. Many low-income seasonal workers worry about issues that could impact access to employment insurance in the off-season, such as the potential for their hours to be cut making them ineligible, or that an employer might not file their record of employment correctly. Even when workers can access employment insurance, the amount that low-income workers receive through this benefit is often not enough to meet their basic needs without additional support. This financial strain on families can further contribute to the incidence of violence.

“In PEI we have a lot of people whose income goes up and down seasonally, up and down throughout their lives, and I think that that uncertainty is extremely stressful, and this stress is a well-documented factor in violence.”

Regardless of level of income or employment status, the trauma of living in an abusive relationship takes a huge psychological toll. Having access to a Basic Income Guarantee would provide people with options so they can take the time they need to heal and recover.

“I’ll be triggered, mental health isn’t well, I miss time for work, and I’m a single parent so that means everything falls behind … .You can’t be in an abusive relationship without trauma. There are days you can’t get out of bed.”

Power and control in abusive relationships

Household Income and Financial Coercion

“I don’t deserve the abuse just because I can’t afford life”

Financial coercion and control are prevalent within many abusive relationships. This is made more difficult when access to income is not equal between partners, with women being more likely to earn less than men, or have limited access to income.

“The biggest tool of abuse in intimate partner violence is not physical abuse. The biggest tools, the most common tools that are used are financial coercion and control, degrading someone. It’s the erosion of the victim’s real sense of agency… If you at least had the Guaranteed Basic Income to provide that sense of security and dignity then the other things that have already been eroded can be worked on because they have financial means. ”

In some cases, the perpetrator has had control over all financial matters for the duration of their relationship, leaving their partner with limited ability to manage their finances independently.

“The financial control piece, that is a huge part of the experience of the folks we see in our workplace who have no access to finances, who have been left out of employment opportunities, are very isolated, so they’re often seen as property, and when you are seen as property you’re seen as an asset or a liability.”

If one partner was the primary account holder, the other may not have a personal credit or rental history, making it even more difficult for them to qualify for a rental unit independently once they leave the relationship. In some cases, abusers may put utilities or other financial obligations in the victim’s name and then intentionally not pay the bills, damaging the victim’s credit score and further limiting their ability to secure housing and live independently. Individuals are also at increased risk of taking on high- interest debt or pay-day loans if they have limited understanding of and experience with managing finances. Along with a BIG, supports for those leaving abuse to learn about personal finances should be made available to those who need it.

“I just kind of went along with everything he already knew. He had the bank account and I didn’t know what I was doing. When I did become on my own I had no idea about credit cards and what that meant and the consequences of that.”

For women who have access to personal income, either through employment or government benefits, this income can be targeted by perpetrators who manipulate, and use threats or violence to take money and resources away from vulnerable individuals.

“You make poor financial decisions because you are more scared of your husband than anything else in this world. And he never hit me! It was all the emotional abuse and control. I’m more scared of him than anyone else on this planet.”

Several participants described that leaving an abusive relationship also meant giving up their share of assets, such as a house, car, or access to their partner’s future pension. Safety was the primary concern, regardless of the financial consequences.

“I never worked at a place that has a pension program. I never had enough money to put money in RRSPs because I was giving all my money to pay the bills, but he has a pension, he has a great pension, and I said to my lawyer, ‘you know what, he loves his money and to make this as easy for me, I don’t want any of it’. Women are put in financially precarious situations just to get away from that, and without this type of a program (BIG), women are going to live in poverty for the rest of our lives.”

Having limited access to income or living in poverty can make individuals more vulnerable to experiencing manipulation and abuse. Not knowing if or how you will be able to make ends meet if you leave an abusive relationship severely limits one’s options and choices.

“The abuser uses finances to say you can’t leave, and holds the power, and they know that, and they use that.”

Knowing that a Basic Income Guarantee is available for anyone who needs it expands the options for those who are experiencing abuse or who are forced to choose potentially unhealthy or dangerous situations to be able to meet their basic needs.

“It could help with making decisions with people I’ve put in my life, to help me along the way or feel like I needed their support or help, that may not have
been the best or the healthiest”

Social Isolation

“At the time I felt not worthy to speak up, or that I needed that person to control everything. Even making decisions was hard.”

Social isolation was also highlighted by many as a tool of power and control in abusive relationships. Perpetrators often try to control or limit their partner’s social interactions and connections with family and friends, limiting their social networks and options for supports should they try to leave the relationship.

“Isolation is huge. It can keep GBV going, and also sometimes can create it, because it’s a warning signal… that kind of controlling of her time is a big red flag, control over someone else’s time or money or anything like that”

When a perpetrator has control over income and finances in the household, they can restrict access further contributing to social isolation.

“Even how much gas is in the car. ‘It’s only this many km from here to work, or here to the grocery store. Or here to daycare, so you’re only allowed to have this much for gas. Make it last.’… I became estranged from everybody and everything in my life.”

Some women in abusive relationships are discouraged or prevented from working outside of the home by an abusive partner who may seek to further limit their social interactions and financial options.

“It keeps people in situations. It continues the cycle of abuse for much longer than it has to go on…. If you can’t afford to pay a damage deposit, hire movers, pay for lawyers, if you can’t afford to do any of those things, maybe you don’t work because your partner doesn’t let you leave the home, maybe you’ve never had a job. These are all very real world barriers that prevent people from leaving abusive situations. It absolutely keeps them stuck”

Having limited access to income or living in poverty adds additional barriers to social interactions and engaging fully in your community. Opportunities to learn about available programs and supports are also limited.

“You can’t volunteer because you can’t get there or you don’t have anyone to look after your kid because you can’t afford a babysitter. So you’re not engaged in the community in the same way in terms of participating… And if you’re not connected then you’re isolated which leaves you vulnerable to control and violence and abuse, especially if you are a woman.”

A Basic Income Guarantee could help increase opportunities for social connection, to learn about programs and supports, and to get help.

“If you aren’t making connections, you don’t see that your life could be different, or that there is help and supports available. If you are home alone taking on all the shame and responsibilities, you can’t access those supports because you don’t know they’re there, you don’t meet the person who says ‘this is not OK, let me help you’.”

Women are also more likely than men to take time off of work to raise children or engage in eldercare, placing them at an even greater risk of financial vulnerability and social isolation. Limited access to and the cost of daycare can be a barrier for women to take on paid work.

“When a woman has children, you’re thinking about lost opportunities. Was that person ever on equal footing or even close to equal footing in terms of the number of years they’ve been in the workforce? Was the dynamic set up that they were actually contributing financially or were finances used as a tool of control and coercion?”

While government programs like the Canada Child Tax benefit that provide some direct financial support for parents have reduced poverty levels overall in Canada, the amount received is not enough to be independently financially secure. Access to a Basic Income Guarantee would help shift the balance of power in relationships for women who leave the workforce due to caring responsibilities and have no or limited direct access to income.

Shared income, resources and debt

The Cost of Leaving Independently

After leaving an abusive relationship, it can be difficult to cut ties financially with the abuser. Partner’s lives and finances are often intertwined in complex ways that allow for manipulation, control, and abuse to continue, even after one has left the relationship. In cases where the perpetrator is the one who leaves the family home, the remaining partner often must take on additional financial responsibilities.

“We also see situations where someone has managed to get a perpetrating partner out, but then how do they manage the finances and the mortgage and the car payments by themselves?”

Though someone may appear as though they are middle-high socioeconomic status on paper, income may not be evenly distributed in the couple. Additionally, a couple may own a more expensive home, car, or other assets that place them at or beyond their financial means, which can create challenges when leaving a relationship.

“Life is very expensive, and if you’re used to even just splitting your expenses, all of a sudden having to pay full rent, full phone bill, full heating bill, full internet bill, all of the things, is a lot for any person who may even be making a pretty decent income, but if you are further marginalized in any way, it’s unmanageable”

Even when a separation is amicable, it can be difficult to navigate financial issues during a break- up. For those leaving abuse, trying to address issues related to shared resources and finances that require interaction with the former partner can be extremely difficult and potentially dangerous.

“We think GBV happens only to poor people, or to people that don’t have a house or don’t have a really good job, and my God that’s so not true. GBV happens to everybody at every socio-economic status… but often the person that’s being abused still feels helpless and hopeless and still has no access to money, regardless of whether they are millionaires or not. Because he’s a millionaire, but he’s already cut off long ago access to money for her… so then you have to leave with nothing. They might not even have access to their own paycheque.”

Leaving an abusive relationship may also mean leaving a certain level of financial security and stability, moving from a middle or high socioeconomic-status lifestyle to living low-income or in poverty. The lack of a basic income guarantee to ensure one will be able to at least meet their basic needs further complicates these decisions.

“It’s not fair to even ask that person or explore leaving with that person if we can’t meet all of those resources that a partner or that family or that person is giving them. So we might be able to say here’s a shelter for the night but we haven’t figured out your childcare. We haven’t figured out your food. We can connect you with a food bank, but that’s only going to last you for two days. We can connect you with social assistance, but you’re only going to get a cheque that doesn’t cover what you need. It’s only a band-aid solution. “

Being a new immigrant to Canada whose immigration status is tied to a partner, can add additional challenges for those experiencing gender-based violence. If a person’s status in Canada is dependent on their relationship, leaving their partner can also mean losing that status and having to leave Canada altogether.

“Money is power and when you don’t have any money you are dependent and somebody is telling you that they are controlling the money and you have no access to it then you have no options”

Shared Resources: Vehicles, Cell Phones, and Banking

A couple may also have shared debt, such as a mortgage or credit card debt, that places the individual leaving the situation in an even more precarious financial situation. In some cases, the abusive partner may take on shared debt, such as maxing out shared credit cards, that the other partner may not even know existed. Many partners also share a cellphone plan or email account, where the abuser is the primary account holder. This makes it possible for an abusive partner to access their account and view phone records and emails, including who they communicate with, when, and for how long.

“If this individual is the person paying for that phone, are you going to have access to it? Is it going to be removed? Do you have the ability to open a separate account so you don’t constantly get harassing calls or this person no longer has access to what you’re doing on that phone? If you don’t have access to that phone anymore are you going to lose all of the limited social contacts and support you may have?”

They may also share a vehicle, or a vehicle may be in a partner’s name and they will no longer have access to it if they leave. This can impact one’s ability to maintain employment, take children to daycare, school, and activities, and attend appointments. Regular activities like grocery shopping become a challenge, particularly in more rural areas where
public transit is less available.

“I left with a bag, That was it. So if I don’t get the house then I have to buy everything new again… the hardest thing to do is to leave, but it’s way harder trying to make it on your own, because if you go back, you know what’s going to happen, and you’ve been able to deal with it. But living out here, it’s like ‘OK where am I going to live after this year is up?’”

Joint bank accounts pose additional challenges for those leaving an abusive relationship. This is particularly problematic if one’s employment or other income and social benefits are regularly deposited into a joint account that the former partner can access. In these cases, the perpetrator can not only access all income, but they may also be able to lock the other person from the account altogether. It will be important that individuals can easily and quickly change the account where income from a Basic Income Guarantee is being sent after leaving a relationship, so perpetrators can’t access this income moving forward.

“Financial inequality gives the other person the power to say ‘It’s fine that I’m in here, and I have every right to be.’”

Concern for the Wellbeing of the Abuser

In cases where the perpetrator is not independently financially stable, or would have nowhere to live if they were forced to leave due to an emergency protection order, concerns about the potential impacts for an abusive partner can impact decisions to leave the relationship.

“We have many situations where somebody could qualify for an emergency protection order where we could legally have the perpetrator removed from the home and different safety mechanisms put in place that people refuse to access because they know that the abuser won’t be able to find a place to live or will not have their needs met.”

A Basic Income Guarantee available to anyone in financial need would help to alleviate concerns about the potential impacts for perpetrators that may act as a barrier to someone leaving an abusive relationship.

“Women are socialized to self-blame, we’ve heard from so many people in this situation that they don’t want to take away HIS income, he’s got kids too, and feeling the responsibility of that…no one in that situation should feel responsible for the perpetrator’s well-being, but we’ve been socialized to do so. It (BIG) might relieve a little bit of that pressure as well because they’re going to be okay. If they decide to leave because you reported them, they have a fallback too.”

Abuse in the home can happen in many different ways, and experiences of leaving an abusive relationship are not straightforward. For some, fear that they may negatively impact the abusive partner’s relationship with their
children, or that they would lose access to the children all together, can be a barrier to leaving or getting the help they need.

“Will that parent have access to the children again? They may not be healthy with me, but they are an okay parent. What if I do go back after all of these things? It’s either 0 or 100 in people’s head, but that’s not the reality.”

Children and intergenerational impacts

Children’s Wellbeing

Being a parent adds additional layers of complexity for those living with or planning to leave an abusive partner. For some, pregnancy and having children can also be a time when abuse intensifies. Not knowing where you and your children will live or how you will make ends meet is a significant barrier to leaving abuse.

“Especially when there are children involved and you don’t know what that next day might look like if you leave, you’re more likely to stay”

Leaving an abusive relationship can mean leaving one’s community, friends, access to employment, and other social supports and connections. Children may also be disconnected from these family and social support networks, as well as potentially their school and any extracurricular activities.

“It’s almost like you had a house fire and you lost everything, but you also lose a lot of community, family and friends at the same time”

If one’s family or friends are in another Province, legal barriers exist that can prevent a parent from taking their children with them out of the Province after a separation. This can prevent someone from being able to access the support they could receive from family or friends, making it more difficult to leave.

“A lot of women are saying, well it’s not that bad, my kids are almost through school, they are just putting up with it. There’s just not options at all for people unless they had a basic income that would support them whether they were in that relationship or not”

Several participants highlighted that it can be difficult to focus attention on listening to and caring for their children when so much energy is focused on trying to make ends meet and worrying about what will happen next.

“It certainly limits your thoughts on being able to leave the situation. That there’s no other income available for my kids, I have to be here. I don’t have the income, I can’t leave. That’s huge.”

There is a lot to organize and adapt to when leaving an abusive relationship with your children. Many children require additional attention and support during these times of transition, making it difficult for parents to work full-time or at all. Having access to a Basic Income guarantee could allow parents more time at home with their children rather than trying to work multiple part-time, minimum-wage jobs to make ends meet.

“If you have that in your mind, ‘Oh my god, how am I going to pay for this, how am I going to pay for that’ you’re not as emotionally available for your children as you would be. If I didn’t have to worry about, ‘where am I going to get $100 for groceries this week’, I know I have it because I know I have this (basic income) money… Sometimes my kid’s talking to me and in my head I’m thinking about, ‘how am I going to pay for this’ and she’s telling me about her day but I’m here in my head”

Some service providers also shared that they have worked with LGBTQIA2S+ youth who have had to leave their homes because they were not accepted or experienced abuse related to their sexual orientation or gender identities. A Basic Income Guarantee should also be able to be accessed by young people leaving their homes to escape discrimination and abuse.

Childhood and Intergenerational Experiences

Intergenerational experiences of abuse were shared by many participants, who had experienced abuse in their homes as children and also in their adult relationships. A basic income could help break this cycle of abuse by supporting financially vulnerable people to leave abusive situations.

“Kids that are able to grow up in supportive, stable homes because their parents have enough money to provide those basic needs, that breaks cycles, and that’s the impact we’d see generation after generation”

Access to a Basic Income Guarantee would also decrease the stress on individuals and families struggling to make ends meet. The physical and mental well-being, and education outcomes of children living in poverty would be positively impacted by access to a Basic Income Guarantee.

“Imagine a 10-year-old worrying about clothing, because they know their parents are trying to feed us, imagine they can’t get even proper winter gear, they aren’t even thinking about toys, or anything else, they are thinking about ‘oh, can I afford to go on this school trip, or these clothes to be protected in the winter?’, that stress on a child is a lot”

Having family and friends one can turn to for help when leaving an abusive situation can make a critical difference. For those who experienced abuse
in their family of origin, their family may not be a safe place to turn to for support.

“Leaving his father, going to my mom’s, my (family member) is abusive, I knew it would be a whole other set of problems. If I had the option to have that income, I’d not have to rely so much on another unhealthy situation.”

For those whose families of origin also face financial hardship, having access to a Basic Income Guarantee could take some of the financial
pressure off of those who want to help but may already be struggling to make ends meet themselves.

“If you had a basic income and you had to shelter with someone, a family member or friend, you’d be safer without causing them so much hardship”

Income, social assistance, and other support programs.

“Jumping Through Hoops”

“Systems are created with a sense of never enough, the taking on of shame and blame, that I’m not good enough, that I don’t belong, it’s a never-ending thing. When systems do that, they create and perpetuate that.”

Uncertainty about whether or not one will be able to access financial supports after leaving an abusive relationship is a reason many choose to stay. That most social programs are all or nothing, with recipients either qualifying for a benefit or not, can also be a source of stress for individuals. Individual workers can have a lot of power and control over who is permitted access to supports.

“The perpetrator has a lot of control, but so does the system, if they are tied to services. The amount of power and control caseworkers have over people’s lives and having to explain your domestic violence situation to somebody who has absolutely no understanding or background in that is traumatic for one, but then if the person thinks that you’re trying to scam or be fraudulent, what a setback right? To go and spill your story to somebody who’s supposed to be there to support you, only for them to say ‘well now I’m going to cut your cheque because I’m not sure what’s going on here’… it’s basically secondary abuse in my opinion”

Even when one is able to gain access to a program like social assistance, amounts received are below poverty levels and not enough to make ends meet.

“My biggest fear was that I’d end up on social services. All my life, I knew
people in my community who had been, and I was like, you’re not giving me any choice here. There’s got to be more than just surviving…You can maybe survive, but you can’t thrive”

Knowing one will have access to a Basic Income Guarantee, unconditionally and based only on income level, and that their benefit amount would be reduced based on income earned but not removed completely, would provide stability and confidence for those wanting to leave an abusive relationship.

“A lot of time we’re working with folks who essentially pick the lesser of two evils. They say, I can go out and not know where my money’s coming from, not know where I’m putting my head tonight, not know the service providers who are meeting me at the door, or I can stay with this individual who might inflict harm on me, but at least I know what’s coming.”

Meeting the requirements to qualify for some programs can also be a source of stress. Gathering the required documentation can be a challenge, particularly if someone leaves an abusive situation quickly and without being able to collect all of their personal records and identification.

“Do they only have access to the resources once they’ve proven that they’re leaving and they have something lined up? With some government programs, you have to have a confirmation of residency form filled out. You have to have an employment letter. You have to have all of these hoops jumped through, but you don’t want to go through the hoops without having access to the resources. Or, especially in this housing market, you don’t have time… you don’t have that luxury of time”

It can also be difficult to find out what services are available and what is needed to qualify. Several participants shared that they had to tell their story multiple times to different service providers as they tried to get the help they needed.

“You’ve fled your house. You’ve left all of your documents, and now they want your taxes for the last 5 years to access support, well they are in the basement of the house that I just left that I can’t go back to. So those types of things are hugely impactful. If you already had access to it (BIG) and you didn’t have to apply for it, you’re already kind of protected from some of the coercive control that can happen”

Going through these processes trying to access multiple targeted services takes time, which can be a barrier to access for those with employment,
childcare, or eldercare responsibilities, or with limited access to transportation.

“It’s nice that we have school lunch programs for kids, food banks, but that’s just a bandaid, and so dehumanizing for people. Can we not just give people enough money so they can buy their own damn food?”

The need to convince service providers they were deserving of supports was a common theme, with many reliving the trauma of their abuse over and over again in the process. Many described feeling belittled or dehumanized by these experiences, with front-line workers having
discretion over whether or not they would be able to access services.

“I went to two income support appointments with women last week and it was difficult for me to watch them be questioned… ‘We need all these doctor’s reports, we need to know about your ADHD’. It just baffles me that people were threatened around even basic income support, and that if you didn’t, if there was a change that happened that they could be cut from that assistance. And so you get people in crisis and everything is changing day to day, and in the back of your mind, you’ve got that you might have your income cut… It’s difficult to see people going in there and feeling belittled”

For social assistance in particular, trying to understand and work within the rules while trying to find ways to meet one’s basic needs can be a challenge. Many fear they may unknowingly make a decision that will cause them to be cut-off completely from these supports.

“Living with roommates, not ideal, social services then cuts your supports. There is nothing within someone’s budget, so they take money from the food budget, all of that is to housing, puts such a strain on programs that were never meant to be blanket programs, it’s a huge barrier to leaving”

The fear of being cut off completely from social assistance supports for
things like earning additional income, living with a roommate or partner, or not being able to provide the required documentation, can be
overwhelming.

“Having to prove to social assistance your safety issues, when you get so dysregulated trying to, and if you are dealing with a stranger who doesn’t know you, and you can’t even catch them up, I don’t even know how it happened, it happened so fast. And I was cut off… I would have never known how difficult it is to advocate for yourself when you are in so much trouble and you can’t get the words out to advocate for yourself.”

Access to Justice and Legal Services

Many legal issues need to be addressed during a separation or divorce.
These matters are further complicated when someone is leaving an
abusive partner. Access to legal representation can be costly. Access to legal aid is limited and does not cover all areas of the law, such as the division of assets. Legal aid is also only accessible to those who qualify.
Even individuals with incomes above the eligibility threshold often
cannot afford private legal representation, leaving many with no option but to self-represent. This not only creates challenges in navigating the legal system but also forces victims to face their abuser in court without adequate support. While a Basic Income Guarantee would provide
financial stability, it would not resolve these systemic barriers to legal
representation. Expanding legal aid eligibility and coverage, particularly for victims of family violence, could help address these gaps and ensure more equitable access to justice.

“If they only have so many hours with their lawyer, they are going to settle for something that is not going to be feasible for them because they really just want to have custody of their children… They would
like to have child support and just move on. I see women settling for less because of the strong opposition from the other lawyer’s side, or around a house settlement or other assets like cars, and so the woman becomes very tired of the negotiation process just because she wants it over with and she’s willing to give up a lot for her freedom.”

Gaining legal custody of their children is a primary concern for parents leaving an abusive relationship, and can impact decisions to leave in the first place. A lack of access to stable income or housing can further exacerbate these concerns.

“A lot of the time it becomes that fear that if I’m the one leaving, and I’m in a temporary housing or a shelter, or maybe I’m staying with family, is that going to look bad on me when I’m fighting for custody, compared to my partner who has a stable house who has that high socio-economic status, where I just left to go and live in a temporary shelter?”

Though parents who have custody of their children also have the legal right to receive child support from the other parent, this does not always happen. The legal processes that one must go through to secure child support payments can be lengthy and complicated. Those seeking to avoid paying child support often find ways to drag out the process to
avoid paying, resulting in additional legal expenses for those trying to access child support.

“People go through a process of trying to get a separation agreement or
custody and access and be able to have child support so you know it’s always a long fight in the courts and dragged out. The abuser will prolong the court period as long as they can to not have to provide funds for their children and if there is spousal support too, I see that all the time”

Housing

The high cost of rent and lack of affordable housing options were highlighted as a reason many choose to stay in abusive relationships.
Single people were also identified as being more likely to stay in a shared accommodation with roommates who may be harassing or abusing them, so they don’t lose their housing.

“I have friends who are struggling financially who put themselves in more risky situations, renting a place that has male roommates and having to stay at that place longer, even though the male roommate is maybe harassing them and getting more and more dangerous. With basic income, it wouldn’t be as big of an issue.”

For those who leave an abusive situation, shelters and transitional housing options are available with limited capacity. However, finding long-term
affordable housing with the current housing shortages is a challenge for many.

“We’re living in a situation where we have a housing crisis and transitional housing is sometimes full, going to a shelter might seem scary and is supposed to be a short-term solution, so that really impacts people’s ability to even make the plan to leave in the first place.”

Moving from a household where expenses may have been shared or paid for by a partner can significantly increase the cost of living for individuals. While a Guaranteed Basic Income would not directly address shortages in affordable and accessible housing, many expressed that it would provide some financial stability that would alleviate some stress and perhaps open up some options for those struggling with finding suitable housing.

“Could a guaranteed basic income assist them in finding housing in a
situation where there’s less than 1% available rental units in Charlottetown, no, but certainly it would alleviate some of the pressures that would go into deciding, is it safe for me to leave? “

Despite current rental protections that are legislated on PEI, rental housing can often be precarious. Examples were shared of landlords
finding reasons to evict tenants to increase rents for the next tenant or selling rental units to be turned into condominiums, leaving the tenants without options. Being unable to find stable housing can be a reason
some end up returning to an abusive partner.

“Second stage housing, that’s great but then they have to go somewhere else after that, and there’s no affordable housing they can go to, so it’s a choice, but not a choice, you have to go somewhere and so they often choose to go
back.”

Leaving an abusive relationship can often mean leaving with very little, often only what you can carry. Even for those who are able to find housing, acquiring the basic necessities one needs for their new home and life can be expensive.

“It’s important to remember that you have to find a place to live, which is virtually impossible, but those places are empty. And if you have children they need a bed to sleep on. You’re not packing up all the clothes, you’re not packing up all the toys, you don’t have a cell phone you can use, you can’t afford internet, and you need those things for safety, and you can’t afford to take time off work. You don’t have another vehicle that you get to take with you. You get to leave with whatever you leave with. This is a very expensive endeavor”

Autonomy and choice

Empowerment

“It (BIG) would GIVE an option, a lot of folks feel like they don’t have a lot of options and so just knowing that there is that safety net that people could access that’s going to be consistently there and it’s not tied to their partner is a big deal”

The ability to be empowered to plan and make choices about one’s life was highlighted by several participants as a benefit of having access to a Basic Income Guarantee, providing a measure of predictability and stability when things may be feeling out of control.

“It (BIG) gives them an option, doesn’t it, that they might have some resources to plan to leave. Have some income to be able to say OK, if I can get some help with housing… having some money and financial means to make some decisions and know that they can make it on their own, its power right? “

For those wanting to leave an abusive relationship, knowing they will have access to a basic income would help them to make plans to leave and can empower them to choose when and how they will do it.

“Individual freedom. In my case back then, I didn’t see any freedom because I knew I couldn’t afford to leave without help from anyone. Having a basic income would feel like you are an individual”

Some participants experienced leaving an abusive relationship without knowing where they would go or how they would make ends meet. Being safe and away from the abuser was at the forefront.

“It’s about survival, and that trumps finances. It’s about, I’m going to die if I stay here, so you go, but you deal with all the terror of that person showing up where you work, picking the child up at daycare, or whatever those things could be, so of course money is huge, we can’t live without it, but being able to actually breathe air and be alive, it gets to that point.”

With a Basic Income Guarantee, those leaving an abusive relationship would be empowered to make plans and choices for the betterment of
themselves and their children, without risking being unable to meet their basic needs.

“If I had that (basic) income, I would have looked at renting an apartment. I would have looked at how could I navigate with this basic income that he can’t take from me. So I probably wouldn’t have risked so much”

The Risk of Returning to an Abusive Partner

For some, the issues they face after leaving an abusive relationship, such as challenges finding safe and affordable housing, securing and maintaining employment, or accessing income supports, can lead to them returning to the abusive partner.

“For women leaving a family violence situation, having guaranteed income is life or death, because so many women will have to go back. They don’t have the supports in their family or their community, and they have no choice.”

The reality of having to live without a reliable, stable source of income can be extremely harmful, forcing people to choose between being abused and living in poverty.

“The biggest risk is a woman returning back to the violence. I’ve had women come through the program and say if I would have known this, I would have never left. I am in poverty now. I have no resources. I’ve lost everything. I should not have left.”

Whether one is trying to decide if they will leave an abusive situation, or if they will return to one, having access to a Basic Income Guarantee could provide more options and choices, and empower people to make the best decisions for their and their family’s health and wellbeing.

“Having your basic needs met around shelter, housing first, enough money to have a place that is safe, where you can feel safe, then you can start thinking about other things you can do to for yourself to feel safer in your life…It provides an opportunity that’s not currently there, and if it was, folks could have a little more choice, around what they could control. Often a lot of folks facing gender based violence do not have control over much in their life, so the opportunity to control even one thing for themselves could potentially be life altering for people.”

Gender-based violence in the workplace

Sexual harassment, discrimination, and other forms of gender-based
violence also happen in workplaces, from those in positions of authority as well as between co-workers. Fear of losing one’s job can prevent
people from speaking up when experiencing abuse.

“Staying in a job because you can’t afford to leave your job, and it’s scary to be unemployed, and maybe you’re living paycheck to paycheck”

The small, interconnected nature of PEI communities, particularly in business sectors, can also prevent someone from seeking help due to concerns they will be blacklisted from future employment as a result.

“You wouldn’t feel like you had to keep that job no matter how much you are disrespected or mistreated because you need that job, period, so that would help a lot”

Access to a Basic Income Guarantee regardless of employment status would decrease the fear of retribution and empower individuals to speak up when experiencing harassment, discrimination, or other forms of gender-based violence in the workplace.

“If they knew there was a stream of income coming, that they felt comfortable to be able to stand up to their employer, without the fear of, if I lose my job I’m not going to be homeless, or I’m not going to be hungry.”

Even if someone were to lose employment, they would know they could meet their basic needs while trying to find a new job or filing a complaint with the PEI Human Rights Commission. They would not be dependent on
access to Employment Insurance (EI) which requires an employer to properly file their record of employment and for the worker to have attained enough EI insurable hours.

“It would make you stronger, it would make your position stronger in that you wouldn’t put up with it. It goes back to that choice piece, you can say ‘knock it off, or I’m out of here’”

Workers engaged in temporary positions or in the ‘gig economy’ also face potential negative impacts on their future employment and reputation when speaking up about gender-based violence at work.

“In a gig economy, there’s much more onus to say yes to things that are borderline, because this gig equals the next gig equals the next gig, and you don’t want to be labeled over there because then you won’t be hired over here, and it becomes this real culture of silence.”

In some cases, returning to a similar job within a given sector, even if it’s not at the same workplace, can be triggering for those who have
experienced gender-based violence. A Basic Income Guarantee could allow people to further their education and retrain in a new profession, and
develop new skills that will help them in the labour market after leaving a job.

“It’s a confidence and a feeling in the way you carry yourself if you know that you’re not below people… If you know that you’re guaranteed that basic income, you don’t feel like your job is any less than any other person, and maybe you’d have more confidence to interact.”

Conclusion & recommended action

This report highlighted ways that a Basic Income Guarantee could benefit those experiencing gender-based violence, and help them to leave abusive situations. Considerations for the design and implementation of a Basic Income Guarantee program to best meet the unique needs of those experiencing gender-based violence were also identified throughout. These include:

• A Basic Income Guarantee must be sufficient to meet the essential needs of individuals and families.
• Interactions with other social benefits and programs must be considered to ensure no one is worse off receiving a Basic Income Guarantee.
• All other programs and supports must remain in place to ensure the
• complex needs of those experiencing or leaving gender-based violence are met.
• A Basic Income Guarantee must be provided to individuals, with
• mechanisms in place to react quickly to changes in relationship status.
• These mechanisms should update benefit amounts and change the method or destination of the basic income benefit when appropriate.
• A Basic Income Guarantee should have protocols in place to screen
• individuals and families for gender-based Violence. Given that financial
• control is a form of abuse present in many cases of gender-based violence, having protocols in place to identify recipients experiencing abuse is
• crucial.
• Educational opportunities should be available for those who would benefit from additional support and information to effectively manage finances
• independently after leaving an abusive relationship.

The participants in this project have made it clear that a Basic Income
Guarantee would improve the lives and well-being of individuals and families experiencing gender-based violence. In PEI, an all-party special committee of the Legislative Assembly voted in favour of a Basic Income Guarantee, and currently, a working group made up of provincial and federal representatives is exploring the possibility. We encourage policymakers to consider the experiences and recommendations provided in this report and to act with urgency and commitment in implementing a Basic Income Guarantee on PEI.

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