By Aneeka Simonis
WOMEN under the stranglehold of a money-controlling abuser will soon have access to violence-trained financial counsellors.
High rates of reported family violence in Cardinia Shire, Casey and Greater Dandenong evidenced the need for specialist financial support for victims in the area.
The state-funded program will be rolled out from next month, complementing existing financial support avenues available locally by Centrelink.
Specialist financial counsellors will help those facing financial abuse in a range of ways, including negotiating with creditors and debt collectors, protecting assets from repossession, accessing financial hardship programs, and preventing ex-partners incurring debt on joint credit cards.
Minister for Consumer Affairs Marlene Kairouz made the announcements on Tuesday 6 September as per recommendations by the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
She said perpetrators often take full control of their victim’s savings and spending, trapping them through crippling financial dependence.
“Family violence takes many forms. These ground-breaking initiatives targeting financial abuse will go a long way to helping victims and those at risk,” she said.
“This is an Australian first. Financial counsellors specifically helping victims of family violence or financial abuse is a key response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission.”
A full-time equivalent financial counsellor will be on hand to help victims in Cardinia, Casey and Greater Dandenong as part of the state’s $1.75 million investment.
All other Victorian financial counsellors will also receive financial abuse training as part of the investment.
Some 10 specialist workers will be recruited for the program and embedded into region-specific agencies based on rates of reported domestic abuse provided by Victoria Police.
Pakenham Centrelink workers have also been skilled up in responding to signs of domestic abuse.
Those who are preparing leave or who have escaped a violent home will be briefed by Centrelink staff on their eligibility for specific income support including crisis payment or child support.
Staff will also be able to provide financial payments even though an at-risk family may not meet all the required criteria, and make special arrangements, such as for child support payments, to maintain victims’ safety.
Centrelink workers also now help victims connect with counselling and welfare services.
DHS general manager Hank Jongen said Centrelink had partnered with WAYSS, the Casey-Cardinia Family Violence Network and Together We Can to encourage family violence victims to link in to wider support networks.
“They have helped local customers to work out their options, including assessing their eligibility for payments, providing exemptions from some requirements, and referrals to local support services,” he said.
