@article{Johnson_2016, title={Creditors’ Use of Consumer Debt Criminalization Practices and their Financial Abuse of Women}, volume={34}, url={https://journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/cjgl/article/view/2762}, DOI={10.7916/cjgl.v34i1.2762}, abstractNote={<p>In 1998, while a practicing attorney, I helped a legal aid client file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy relief because she was no longer able to manage her debts. As required under bankruptcy law, I had to help her file a list of all her creditors, as well as a statement of intention, which provides a snapshot as to how certain debts will be treated. My client, “Brenda,” a single mother, became fearful as I discussed with her the possibility of not paying a rent-to-own (“RTO”) company from which she had obtained a living room set. She told me that we had to pay the company because, as she said, “I don’t want them to put me in jail.” I was completely dumbfounded that she thought that could really happen to her. I explained to her that the RTO company could not put her in jail for failing to pay a civil debt. But she insisted we had to pay because, “I’m not going to jail.” Little did I know I was really the ignorant one.</p>}, number={1}, journal={Columbia Journal of Gender and Law}, author={Johnson, Creola}, year={2016}, month={Dec.}, pages={5–74} }