NEARLY one in seven women have recently had their finances controlled by an abusive partner, new polling suggests.

Of those who experienced economic abuse, nearly a quarter — 23 per cent — said it prevented them leaving the relationship.

More than a third who said they had experienced economic abuse in the past 12 months experienced mental ill health, including depression, panic attacks, or suicidal thoughts.

Nearly a fifth needed to borrow money to cover the cost of essential items or bills and one in nine had ended up without a home.

More than one in four also said that a partner or ex-partner had threatened to hurt or kill them.

The findings are based on an Ipsos survey of more than 2,800 women across Britain commissioned by charity Surviving Economic Abuse.

Published on Economic Abuse Awareness Day today, they suggest a million women have been prevented from leaving relationships due to economic abuse.

A woman, who had been with her partner for over a decade before separating, told the charity: “He made constant threats to harm me and my kids. I was living in fear all the time.

“It’s really difficult to describe. To be so completely powerless. I can’t explain what it’s like, it’s overwhelming.

“You start to go through periods of depression. Not being able to provide for your children, relying on someone else. Even buying stuff like sanitary towels or things like food.

“Now I’m barely surviving. I lost my house and have since had to move over 30 times.”

Sam Smethers, interim chief executive of Surviving Economic Abuse, said: “Time and time again, we hear from victim-survivors who are living in fear for their lives yet don’t have control over their bank account or enough money for a train ticket to flee.

“While for those who manage to escape, the abuser often leaves them drowning in debt and homeless, making it impossible for them to rebuild their lives and provide for their children.”

TSB runs an emergency flee fund it says has helped 445 customers — 406 who were female and 208 people fleeing with children — to leave their situation over the past two years.

CEO Robin Bulloch urged “all employers to play their part in helping combat this social and economic crisis.”