Around 1 in 6 women have experienced economic abuse from a current or former partner since the age of 15. But despite how common it is, many people don’t recognise the signs, or the lasting impact it can have on someone’s independence, safety, and future.
Rebecca Glenn, CEO of the Centre for Women’s Economic Safety, believes that increasing awareness of economic abuse is key to helping more women recognise it and get the support they need.
“Part of why economic abuse remains one of the least understood forms of domestic violence is that we’re not comfortable talking about money,” says Rebecca.
“When we talk about domestic violence and coercive control, we think isolation – but we often don’t ask how victims have been isolated.”
“Economic abuse often co-occurs with other forms of abuse. We know that victims may be forced to hand over their money under the threat of physical or sexual violence. Because of this, it can easily fly under the radar.”
There are often subtle signs, particularly from a financial services perspective. Frontline staff can play an important role in recognising when something isn’t right.
It might look like someone deferring to another person during a conversation, or a second voice in the background directing what’s being said. It could also be a customer who isn’t sure what accounts they hold, or feels uncertain about their own financial situation.
“If someone seems really uncertain about the state of their affairs in their banking, it could be a sign that something more nefarious is going on.”
In the first two years of our partnership with the Centre for Women’s Economic Safety, more than 300 women in the Illawarra have been supported through free Money Clinics offering financial counselling – with over $440,000 in debt waived.
But the impact goes far beyond the numbers.
For each woman supported, there’s a ripple effect reaching their children, their families, and their communities. Removing that financial burden often means more than just relief. It can create space for safety, stability, and the chance to start planning for the future again.
Rebecca’s vision is for the Money Clinic model to be embedded across the family and domestic violence support system nationwide.
Currently operating in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, the goal is to expand further to reach more women in more communities who need support.
A key part of that future includes developing the first accredited course to help professionals recognise and respond to financial abuse, building awareness and capability across the financial counselling and community services sectors.
For those seeking to access CWES’ Money Clinics and other available services, please visit the CWES website.