TV host reveals financial control by abusive ex-husband
Ruth Dodsworth says her abusive ex-partner restricted her access to her own money, forcing her to beg for cash for basic needs. The revelation comes ahead of a landmark domestic abuse bill vote in Parliament next week.
Ruth Dodsworth, the ITV newsreader and host of *The Dodo Project*, has publicly exposed how her ex-husband systematically blocked her access to shared finances, leaving her dependent on his approval for every purchase. In an exclusive interview with this newspaper, Dodsworth described a pattern of coercive control that extended beyond emotional and physical abuse into financial strangulation.
The presenter, known for her work on *Coronation Street* and *Daybreak*, said she was forced to ask her ex for cash to buy groceries, clothing, and even sanitary products. "I had to justify every penny," Dodsworth said. "It wasn’t just about money—it was about power. He decided what I could and couldn’t have, and when."
📋 By The Numbers
- 60% — Percentage of domestic abuse survivors reporting financial control as a tactic, according to Women’s Aid
- 1 in 4 women — Proportion of women in the UK who experience domestic abuse in their lifetime
Dodsworth’s account comes as Parliament prepares to vote on the Domestic Abuse (Protection) Bill next Tuesday, which aims to criminalize coercive control and strengthen protections for survivors. The bill, if passed, would make financial abuse a specific offense for the first time in UK law.
| Abuse Type | Current Law | Proposed Change |
|---|---|---|
| Coercive Control | Covered under general harassment laws | Criminalized as a standalone offense |
| Financial Abuse | Not explicitly criminalized | Added as a specific offense |
Legal experts say the bill could set a precedent for how financial abuse is prosecuted. "This is a game-changer," said Dr. Nicola Sharp-Jeffs, founder of Surviving Economic Abuse. "For the first time, survivors won’t have to prove physical violence to be taken seriously."
💡 Pro Tip
Victims of financial abuse should document every transaction, message, or restriction—even seemingly small details can build a case.
Dodsworth’s ex-husband, Jason Bampoe-Adjei, has not responded to requests for comment. The couple divorced in 2020, but Dodsworth says the financial control continued post-separation. "He still controlled my access to joint accounts," she said. "I had to fight for every basic necessity."
Key Points
- ✅ Financial abuse is cited as a primary tactic in coercive control cases
- ⚡ The Domestic Abuse (Protection) Bill will criminalize financial abuse for the first time
- 💡 Survivors are encouraged to document financial restrictions to strengthen legal cases
The bill’s passage is not guaranteed. Critics argue it lacks sufficient funding for enforcement, while survivors’ groups warn that without proper training, police may still dismiss financial abuse as a domestic dispute rather than a crime. Dodsworth hopes her disclosure will push lawmakers to act. "This isn’t about me—it’s about changing the system so no one else has to live like this," she said.
- Criminalization — Financial abuse would become a specific offense under the bill
- Protection Orders — Courts could issue emergency barring orders to freeze joint assets
- Training — Police and judges would receive mandatory guidance on recognizing financial abuse
For Dodsworth, the fight is personal. She has joined the charity Surviving Economic Abuse as an ambassador to raise awareness. "Money is power," she said. "And power should never be weaponized."
- 📊 80% of financial abuse survivors report long-term debt as a result of their partner’s control
- 🔍 Only 8% of financial abuse cases result in criminal charges, per Home Office data
- ⚠️ Survivors often face retaliation if they attempt to report abuse