The NSW Government is continuing work to create a safer New South Wales and address domestic and family violence in all forms, including financial abuse as a form of coercive control.
Following the criminalisation of coercive control in New South Wales in July this year, 45 percent of reported incidences of this crime have involved financial abuse, with estimates that 1 in 5 women across the state experience economic abuse by a partner from the age of 15.
Over $200,000 of debt has been waived in New South Wales over the past 14 months for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, with the support of financial counsellors from Legal Aid NSW's Domestic Violence Unit.
The waived debt includes bank loans, credit card bills, Centrelink debts and fees incurred due to financial abuse.
The New South Wales Government has invested $8.1 million in the Redfern Legal Centre to expand and extend its financial abuse support services, which include free and confidential advice on financial abuse.
$372,000 has also been invested in Firmer Foundations, a program run by Good Shepherd, which works to build the financial literacy of women who have experienced or are vulnerable to family violence with an aim to reduce their risk of entering or returning to an abusive relationship.
Financial abuse is a pattern of control, exploitation or sabotage of finances, affecting a person's capacity to make, spend and save money, threatening their financial security. Further, economic abuse regularly coincides with other forms of domestic and family violence, with financial instability hindering a victim's ability to leave these environments.
Like all domestic and family violence, each experience is complex and different, however it can include a perpetrator:
- Placing someone on a strict budget that barely covers the essentials such as food or clothes.
- Limiting access to bank accounts.
- Coercing, deceiving or pressuring someone to take on debt.
- Hiding money or assets.
- Preventing someone from having a credit card.
- Rigorously monitoring spending.
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.
For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN on 13 92 76.
NSW Attorney General Michael Daley said:
"The legal assistance sector plays a critical role in supporting many victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, by providing access free, timely legal advice to stop problems escalating.
"Financial abuse is a particularly insidious form of coercive control that can often have long-lasting and devastating impacts on the victim.
"The work of Legal Aid's Domestic Violence Unit and the Financial Abuse Service means people escaping abusive relationships can find support to protect and assist them to recover from financial abuse."
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
"No woman should have to choose between living with violence or living in poverty.
"Financial abuse is one of the most common forms of domestic and family violence, but it's often hidden and difficult to recognise.
"It's important that we not only raise awareness of this abuse but that people know that there is help available.
"The NSW Government is working hard to end domestic and family violence, and that includes supporting victim-survivors of financial abuse towards financial security."
Women's Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin said:
"Domestic and family violence takes place in a broader context of power and control, and frequently involves financial abuse.
"The negative consequences of financial abuse often reverberate through women's lives and increase financial hardship for many years.
"For women who manage to leave an abusive relationship, they can face long-term economic and systemic barriers to recovery, including the loss of assets and income, unemployment and homelessness.
"It is critical to ensure that support is available for women experiencing or escaping from financial abuse, both to ensure their immediate safety and to work towards long-term economic security and independence."
Director of Legal Aid NSW Domestic Violence Unit Susannah O'Reilly said:
"Financial abuse can often be a disguised form of intimate partner violence, and it can have a devastating impact on a person's life.
"Someone experiencing financial abuse may feel like it's impossible to leave or remain separated from their partner, and that the perpetrator can continue this form of abuse even after the relationship has ended.
"The criminalisation of coercive control, which includes limiting access to money and controlling finances as a coercive control behaviour, means there is growing awareness of financial abuse and recognition that it is illegal.
"Legal Aid is committed to support victim-survivors of financial abuse through the work of our Domestic Violence Unit."
CEO of Good Shepherd Stella Avramopoulos said:
"Women escaping domestic and family violence can often find themselves facing new situations of financial insecurity, poverty and even homelessness.
"Our program helps women develop financial resilience and capabilities so they can prevent or recover from financial stress or hardship resulting from financial abuse."
