Kiesha Preston, Joins White House Gender Policy Council for Key Listening Session on Economic Abuse and Policy Reform
On July 12, 2024, advocate and survivor Kiesha Preston took part in a landmark listening session hosted by the White House Gender Policy Council in collaboration with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). As a subject-matter expert on gender-based violence and economic abuse, Preston contributed her personal insights and professional expertise, aiming to guide future policies that address the intersection of economic and gender-based abuse and support survivors in overcoming lasting barriers.
This session was designed to center the lived experiences of survivors in shaping policy that addresses the profound impact of economic abuse. Economic abuse, a form of financial control and manipulation used by abusers, can result in severe credit damage, crushing debt, and limited options for independence — barriers that persist long after the abuse itself ends. Recognizing the importance of lived experience, the session encouraged survivors like Preston to share how these long-term financial impacts create barriers to stability and independence.
Lived Experience as a Blueprint for Effective Policy
For Preston, this listening session was an opportunity to bridge the gap between survivor experience and policy. As a survivor herself, she knows firsthand the challenges of rebuilding after economic abuse. During the session, she shared her journey and highlighted the often-overlooked struggles that survivors face due to poor credit. A damaged credit report, which may include debt incurred without a survivor’s consent, or debt that a survivor incurred while attempting to flee, can create obstacles in securing housing, employment, and financial stability — obstacles that continue long after separation from an abusive partner.
Drawing from her experience as an advocate, Preston spoke about the legislative changes she led in Virginia. She authored a bill that reformed the state’s fair housing laws to better support victims of economic abuse, addressing the often ignored impact of financial entanglement. This legislation redefined the state’s approach to housing for survivors, ensuring that credit history no longer serves as an added burden for those attempting to rebuild their lives.
The Long Shadow of Economic Abuse and Credit Damage
Preston’s contributions to the session included a focus on the enduring impact of poor credit as a byproduct of economic abuse. Many survivors find themselves tied to financial histories marred by an abusive partner’s control, making it difficult to access the resources necessary for stability. By sharing her story, Preston underscored that credit reports often misrepresent a survivor’s true financial character due to circumstances beyond their control.
The Virginia bill Preston spearheaded was crafted to address precisely these issues, ensuring that survivors facing poor credit as a result of abuse could still access safe and stable housing. This legislation stands as a model for how survivor-informed policy can dismantle financial barriers and create opportunities for empowerment. Preston highlighted that credit scores, in this context, should not be treated as an assessment of financial character, but rather as a reminder of the obstacles that survivors face through no fault of their own.
A Call to Action: Expanding Protections for Survivors
The listening session also served as a call to action for policymakers to expand support for survivors. In her discussion, Preston urged the Administration to build upon recent progress by addressing gaps in financial protections specifically for survivors of economic abuse. She advocated for rethinking creditworthiness standards and urged the Administration to consider her Virginia bill as a model for national legislation, which would remove housing barriers for survivors impacted by economic abuse. Preston also called for greater protections by credit reporting agencies specifically tailored to domestic violence survivors, along with the creation of dedicated programs to help survivors rebuild their credit after experiencing economic abuse. These initiatives, she argued, could significantly support survivors on their path to financial independence and stability.
The CFPB, which has been active in regulating predatory practices, has a critical role to play in extending these protections to survivors. Preston’s call to action underscored the need for financial policies that support survivors in overcoming the lasting impacts of abuse, creating a pathway to a future where economic freedom is within reach for everyone affected by economic violence.
Building a Policy Framework Grounded in Survivor Voices
For Preston, this session was a powerful validation of survivor voices and their essential role in shaping policy. It illustrated the potential for meaningful change when policymakers are willing to listen to those directly affected by their decisions. Preston left the session optimistic, confident that the Administration’s commitment to centering survivor experiences could shape policies that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
Through her work, Preston continues to advocate for policies that not only support but empower survivors, ensuring that the insights and needs of survivors are recognized at the highest levels of government. Her participation in this session represents one important step in a broader movement for policies that prioritize survivor-informed change, dismantling barriers and creating pathways to true financial freedom for survivors nationwide.
