Family Violence and Financial Abuse

In 2023, it was estimated that 4.2 million Australian adults had experienced violence, emotional abuse or economic abuse by a partner. Statistics like these make services that address family violence and financial abuse all the more important.

Immediate Danger

If you are experiencing immediate safety concerns for yourself or a family member please call the Police on 000.

Family Violence Support

If you are experiencing Family Violence and are in no immediate danger you can contact the following for counselling support, advice on staying safe and understanding what options there are for your individual situation.:

• The Victorian Crisis Response Line Safe Steps.
• The National Crisis Response Line 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
• The National Crisis Response Line Webchat at www.1800respect.org.au (24 hours a day)

What Are Family Violence and Financial Abuse?

Family violence is any threatening, coercive, dominating or abusive behaviour that occurs between people in a family, domestic or intimate relationship, or former intimate relationship, that causes the person experiencing the behaviour to feel fear.

Elder abuse is a form of family violence that is experienced by older people.  It is where a person (often known to the older person) has control over them.  If you believe you or a person you know is experiencing elder abuse you can contact Seniors Rights Victoria for further advice.  

Financial abuse (also referred to as economic abuse) is a form of family violence where a person uses money to gain power and control and/or remove financial autonomy from another person in a relationship. It can limit your ability to leave an abusive relationship, and it is often present with other forms of abuse such as emotional and physical.

What Can Financial Abuse Look Like?

Financial abuse can take the following forms:

• A person in a relationship having control over all of the money.
• Expecting you to pay all the groceries and bills while they do not contribute financially to the household expenses.
• Accumulating debt and leaving you to worry about how the payments will be made. Also putting all debt in your name only, making you legally responsible.
• Placing assets in their name only.
• Hiding money or details of bank accounts from you.
• Refusing to pay child support.
• Deliberately incurring fines in your name and leaving you liable for them.

If you're experiencing any of the above, you can get support from a free financial counsellor. They can assist with negotiating debts. They can also look at options to reduce the impact of financial abuse on your credit report.

Where To Get Financial Assistance If You're Experiencing Financial Abuse

The Orange Door

If you need assistance from a specialist family violence worker you can contact your local Orange Door or family violence service directly.  They can assist with safety planning, housing and financial options, counselling and support before and after leaving.

Escaping Violence Payment

This service provides financial support to people who have experienced family violence in the past 12 weeks.  For more information or to apply you can speak to your Family Violence caseworker. You can also apply online at Uniting Care Escaping Violence Payment.

Debts and Financial Assistance For Family Violence and Financial Abuse

If you are worried about debts and how you will manage when you leave, you can speak to a free and confidential financial counsellor.  Contact the National Debt Helpline for a referral to your local service.

Domestic Violence No Interest Loans

These loans are a no interest option provided through Good Shepherd to assist women affected by family and domestic violence.  You can borrow up to $2000 and pay it back of 24 months with no interest or fees.  See Good Shepherd for further information.

Utility Relief Grant

If you have experienced family violence you can apply for a utility relief grant on your water, gas and electricity bills.  You may be able to apply for up to $650 off each of these bills (in a two year period) by contacting your utility providers hardship team.

Can Better Place Australia Help Me With Family Violence and Financial Abuse?

Yes. Better Place Australia Free Financial Counselling and Mediation Services are available to people people experiencing family violence and financial abuse. If you live in one of the many government funded areas across Victoria, you can take the first step by enquiring online or requesting an appointment.

You can also read real stories about people with financial troubles and how Better Place Australia financial counsellors mediated for them.