The Economics of Silence
A book in progress
Financial abuse is a subject that is deeply personal to me.
My own experience has taken me through years of secrecy, confusion, false hope and ultimately near financial ruin. Those experiences have stayed with me, and have become the starting point for this book.
The Economics of Silence explores financial abuse not simply as a financial issue, but as a deeply human experience and one that is often hidden behind silence, shame, and the hope that things will somehow change.
Listening to the stories behind the silence
As part of my research, I am speaking with people who have experienced financial abuse, listening to their stories and exploring the emotional, psychological, and practical consequences.
I'm interested in the patterns that can keep people caught in these situations, the impact on identity, physical health, relationships, and what happens when years of secrecy finally become impossible to maintain.
These conversations are helping to shape the direction of the book and, importantly, to make sure that the human experience remains at its heart.
Why I'm writing it
There is still so much that is misunderstood about financial abuse.
It can be difficult to recognise, difficult to talk about and incredibly difficult to leave behind, particularly when financial control is intertwined with love, trust, family, responsibility or hope.
I want this book to contribute to a deeper understanding of those experiences and, most importantly, to give voice to stories that are too often lived in silence.
The book also forms part of my Master's in Trauma research, at the University of Cork.
A work in progress
This is an ongoing project.
I'm continuing to listen, research, and learn from the experiences of those who have lived through financial abuse. The book will develop alongside that work.
More updates will follow as the project takes shape.
If you'd like to hear about the book as it develops, register your interest.