MORE than a third of girls and young women aged 16 to 24 experienced economic abuse from a current or former partner in the 12 months to March, research for charity Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) has found.

Economic abuse involves controlling a partner’s finances — restricting purchases, running up debts without consent, or limiting access to transport and technology needed for work.

Half of those affected said it damaged their mental health, including depression and panic attacks, while 27 per cent said they had been stopped from working, studying or training.

Among 16 to 18-year-olds, 31 per cent reported economic abuse, with 17 per cent saying it began within the first month of the relationship — more than double the rate among 22 to 24-year-olds.

One young woman told the charity: “Young people are encouraged to move in together, share finances and plan their futures, but very little is discussed about what happens when it all goes wrong.”

SEA chief executive Sam Smethers said: “Parents, teachers and education professionals need to recognise the warning signs early.”