Presenter: Esmeralda Peña, Economic Justice Project Manager, NYSCADV

The connection between economic insecurity and intimate partner violence is well established just as economic security is associated with supporting safer relationships where equity between partners is experienced. An individual's economic stability has the potential to prevent intimate partner violence from occurring in the first place— referred to as primary prevention. Primary prevention strategies are designed to reduce health and safety issues, like intimate partner violence, at a population level.

This session will explore tools for helping advocates introduce children and young adults to economic empowerment and cultivate financial literacy. This includes imparting age-appropriate financial literacy skills such as managing money effectively and making informed financial decisions. These skills are essential for fostering independence and confidence in financial matters, enabling them to build a secure financial future, which is a robust protective factor against domestic and sexual violence at the hands of a partner.

Presentation Goals:

Understanding and teaching children and young adults about economic empowerment and financial literacy.
Introducing practical tools for budgeting, saving, responsible spending, and entrepreneurial thinking.
Providing information on resources and legal protections related to financial empowerment and control.

This presentation is designed for advocates working with children, parents, teenagers, and young adults and provides them with tools to educate, empower and foster economic security and independence.