Lea Martin: When love ends with money - Financial violence against women*
As part of Orange Days 2025 and the International Day against Violence against Women and Girls, we cordially invite you to a hybrid lecture with the author Lea Martin.
The author, activist and mother of three has experienced financial violence herself and has spoken to numerous affected women* for her books. Her publications, including Bis das Geld euch scheidet. Finanzielle Gewalt in Beziehungen (2005) and Du mit deiner Scheiß-Altersarmut! Frauen erzählen von finanzieller Gewalt (2024), reveal how subtle and at the same time destructive this form of relationship violence is.
Financial violence means: control, devaluation and dependence over money and resources. It can affect any woman*, regardless of education, profession, background or financial independence and often has an impact far beyond separation and divorce. Institutions such as banks, courts or youth welfare offices can also unconsciously reinforce these dynamics.
In her lecture, Lea Martin will provide insights into her work, present testimonials from affected women and discuss what responsibility the state and society have to actually enforce equal rights.
The aim of the event is to provide preventative information so that women* are protected and do not end up in financially abusive circumstances in the first place. At the same time, we want to support those acutely affected, give them strength and show them how they can defend themselves and act in a legally and emotionally empowered way.
The event is organised by the central equal opportunities department at Ruhr West University of Applied Sciences (HRW). The topic of financial provision for women is a central concern and is always on the agenda at HRW.
The asterisk (*) after women signals that we include all gender identities and include people who do not see themselves as cis women: It makes it clear that trans, non-binary and intersex people can also be affected by discrimination, unequal treatment and violence. With the asterisk, we want to recognise diversity and make language inclusive.
