2019-12-01_Australian_House_Garden

BRANDPROMOTION

Withoneinsixwomenreportingsignsoffinancial

abuse

1

, it’simportanttorecognisethesignsfor

yourself- orsomeoneclosetoyou.

Thereareplentyofwaysthatfinancial

abusecanoccur.Lookoutforthesetop

threesignsinyourownrelationshipor

thosearoundyou.

1

Youarediscouragedorpreventedfrom

contributingtohouseholdincomeby

gettinga joborearningincome.

2

Yourpartnercontrolshowallofthe

householdincomeisspentandasks

toseeproofofspendingandcosts.

3

Youhavebeenforcedorpressured

totakeouta loanorcreditcardin

yourname.

RECOGNISETHEWARNINGSIGNS

Under control

PRODUCED

BY

STORY

OFTEN HIDDEN and rarely discussed,

fi nancial abuse is a situation that can

creep up over many years in households

and relationships. Whether it’s limited

access to cash, lack of voice in fi nancial

decisions or constant scrutiny of spending,

a fi nancially abusive relationship can

take many forms.

THE METHOD

According to Jan Breckenridge, an

associate professor at the University of

New South Wales’ Gendered Violence

Research Network, fi nancial abuse can

occur without physical violence and can

be overt or incredibly subtle. However,

regardless of the method, the planned

outcome for the perpetrator is always

the same – control.

“There are three key ways money is

used to abuse a partner: fi nancial control,

fi nancial exploitation or sabotage of

work or study which limits economic

opportunities. A perpetrator might

withhold money, track the other person’s

spending online, block access to their

own accounts or create debts in the

victim’s name,” Breckenridge explains.

“Financial literacy is one important area

that can help everyone spot the warning

signs of abuse – either for themselves or for

someone close to them. It’s not necessarily

about looking for it, but if there are signs

of fi nancial stress, sometimes it’s an

indicator that something is not okay.”

THE BIG PICTURE

Financial abuse can impact all types of

relationships, age groups, cultures and

extended family dynamics.

Commonwealth Bank group executive

Sian Lewis says: “Many Australians know

domestic and family violence is an urgent

issue but less are aware of how closely it’s

linked to fi nancial abuse.

“Financial abuse is a hidden epidemic

with research telling us it is prevalent

in about 90 per cent of domestic and

family violence situations. As one

of Australia’s largest banks, we have

a responsibility to do what we can to

address this disturbing issue.

“Over the past fi ve years, we’ve

committed $30 million to programs

that have helped people affected by

domestic and family violence, offering

support to vulnerable customers when

they need it most.

“But we know there is more to be

done. That’s why we’re investing in

and partnering with a range of leading

community organisations, academics,

survivors and advocates to develop

new fi nancial solutions and support to

help those affected achieve long-term

fi nancial independence.”

Find out more about fi nancial abuse by

visiting commbank.com.au/fi nancialabuse

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic

violence, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).

In an emergency, call 000.

(^1) Kutin, J., R. Russell, and M. Reid, Economic abuse between intimate partners in Australia: prevalence, health status, disability and
fi nancial stress. Australian and New Zealand journal of public health (2017).