If you’re experiencing financial abuse, you’re not alone. 1 in 6 women and 1 in 13 men have experienced financial abuse in Australia. A form of coercive control, financial abuse is linked to broader patterns of domestic violence. 1800Respect describes psychological, emotional, and physical abuse as a cage, and financial abuse as being the padlock of domestic violence — the form that makes it so difficult to leave.
If you’re feeling trapped by financial abuse, Duffy & Simon offers domestic violence assistance that can help. As family lawyers with years of experience, our team can help you identify patterns of abuse, protect your financial power with financial agreements, support you through the legal process, and help you answer the all-important question: how do you get out of financial abuse?
Understanding Patterns of Financial Abuse
While financial abuse can occur on its own, it’s usually used in conjunction with other forms of abuse. Patterns of behaviour demonstrated by the abuser will usually begin with coercive control before escalating to financial abuse.
Coercive control is when one partner is manipulative and controlling to another; signs of this include isolating you from your support system, severe criticism, threats, or monitoring your activity throughout the day. Coercive control can happen to anyone but is most often used by men against women.
Signs of economic and financial abuse include not letting you choose how to spend your money, forcing you to sign contracts, creating debts in your name, making it hard for you to keep or get a job, and more. Warning signs for financial abuse might be having to account for how you spend your money or your partner withholding financial information from you.
Ultimately, if you feel afraid to talk about money, feel like you can’t make financial decisions, or are insecure because you can’t access your money to leave, you may need to consider if your relationship has become abusive.
How to Protect Yourself from Financial Abuse
- Store all your important financial documents in a safe place, like a safety deposit box or with a trusted friend.
Make sure to protect your:- Credit and debit card PINs
- Banking passwords
- Tax File Number
- Centrelink Reference Number
- Protect yourself from debts:
- Regularly check your credit report
- Require two signatures on any loan’s redraw facility
- Review your joint account statements regularly
- Ensure you read any documents before signing, and get legal advice if you’re not sure
- Keep your money in an account in your name at a different financial institution from where your joint account is held.
- Where safe, it is recommended to have some of your money in a different account rather than pouring everything into a joint account.
- Where safe, it is recommended to have some of your money in a different account rather than pouring everything into a joint account.
- Protect your valuables by storing them with a trusted family member or friend.
- Open your own mail.
- If you’re concerned about abuse, start saving in a separate account (with only your name on it) so you have the money to leave.
- Speak to a family lawyer for judgement-free advice about your situation.
How Lawyers Can Provide Financial Abuse Support
The burden of protecting yourself from financial abuse does not rest only on your shoulders. Every state and territory in Australia recognises that economic abuse is a type of domestic violence, which is a crime. Family lawyers can help you bring a case to the police and help you secure a Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO). Having an experienced family lawyer in your corner provides reassurance in an otherwise tumultuous time.
Your legal rights in cases of financial abuse vary based on the state you live in:
| Aspect | Federal Law | Victorian Law |
| Primary Legislation | Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) | Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic) |
| Jurisdiction | All of Australia; works with state/territory laws | Victoria state; includes special family violence courts |
| Scope | Covers domestic violence, particularly in relation to family law issues (custody, divorce) | Protects against physical violence, emotional and economic abuse, and coercive control |
| Definition of Economic Abuse | Included within the broad definition of family violence | Defined as coercive, deceptive, or unreasonably controlling behaviour without consent |
| Examples | Taking away financial autonomy unfairly Refusing financial support to dependent family members for reasonable living expenses | Coercing someone to hand over control of assets/income Disposing of property against wishes (including joint property) |
| Special Features | Works in conjunction with state/territory laws | Has special family violence courts with powers to enforce Family Violence Intervention Orders (FVIO) |
Accessing Support Services
If you feel that you have been impacted by economic abuse, but aren’t yet ready for legal advice, there are financial abuse support services that can help. 1800RESPECT is Australia’s national domestic violence counselling, information, and support service. Their helpful toolkit defines financial abuse and its signs with examples you might find resonate with you. Once you’re in a safe place, consider calling one of 1800RESPECT’s counsellors for support. Help is available — from housing assistance and financial management to employment services and debt assistance.
Take Action with Legal Advice
You do not have to handle financial abuse on your own. Domestic violence is a crime, and family lawyers can navigate the legal frameworks to help keep you and your family safe. The experienced team at Duffy & Simon can also help you prevent economic abuse with a financial agreement, even if you’re already married. Contact Duffy & Simon for a professional legal consultation and free yourself from financial abuse.
Suggested phone numbers for additional support:
| National Helplines | Contact Number |
| National Debt Helpline | 1800 007 007 |
| 1800RESPECT | 1800 737 732 |
| Lifeline | 13 11 14 |
| State/Territory Services | Contact Number |
| DV Line NSW | 1800 65 64 63 |
| Safe Steps Vic | 1800 015 188 |
| DV Helpline Qld | 1800 811 811 |
| DV Helpline WA | 1800 007 339 |
| DV Crisis Line SA | 1800 800 098 |
| FVCSS Tas | 1800 608 122 |
| DV Crisis Service ACT | (02) 6280 0900 |
| DAIWS NT | (08) 8945 2284 |