Financial abuse is one of the most common forms of domestic violence in Australia.
In fact, up to nine in 10 people who seek help for domestic and family violence are affected by this form of intimate partner abuse.
Common signs include controlling a partner's spending, controlling bank account access, taking out debt in a partner’s name without their consent, and sabotaging employment opportunities (among many, many more).
Financial abuse can have a long-term emotional and financial impact on victim-survivors.
One of the services available to help victim-survivors get back on their feet financially is the Financial Independence Hub delivered by Good Shepherd and funded by the Commonwealth Bank as part of Next Chapter: a program to help victim-survivors of domestic and financial abuse.
The hub was designed in conjunction with people who have experienced this form of abuse first-hand to ensure it delivers the right support in the right way.
Through the hub, people previously impacted by financial abuse have access to free specialist one-on-one financial coaching to help build confidence and capability in managing their own finances, with referrals to support services and, where appropriate, access to financial solutions like interest-free loans.
Emma Buccat is one of the financial coaches who speaks with victim-survivors every day about how to become financially independent again. She says there are three common challenges for victim-survivors of financial abuse:
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