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Domestic and family violence

Domestic and family violence can often have a financial dimension involved. This is called financial abuse, or economic abuse, and can happen to anyone regardless of ethnic and cultural background, socio-economic status, age, health or other factors.

What is financial abuse?

Financial abuse is when a loved one, a family member, friend or a carer uses money, assets or income to control another person and their decisions. Their behaviour may include: 

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  • controlling access to finances such as cash, bank accounts, benefits or pensions 

  • refusing to contribute financially to the relationship or joint family expenses 

  • taking out loans and running up debts in a family member or partner’s name without their knowledge or consent, or forcing them to give such consent 

  • forcing someone to change their will or transfer their assets to them 

  • forging signatures on financial documents, or pressuring someone to sign documents against their will 

  • preventing a partner or a family member from working or studying 

  • forcing a partner or a family member to claim social security benefits

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Here to help

IF YOU ARE IN DANGER CALL 000

 

If you are experiencing domestic and/or family violence or financial abuse, you should seek assistance by calling Care via the National Debt Helpline. You can also use the list of contacts available to seek further assistance. 

1800 007 007

via ndh.org.au

Financial counselling enquiry form

Thanks for submitting! We will get in touch soon. Please note that we call from a private number.

Other relevant contacts

Domestic Violence Crisis Centre (DVCS) 

Ph: 02 62 800 900

web: https://dvcs.org.au/

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1800RESPECT 

Ph: 1800 737 732

web: https://www.1800respect.org.au/

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Legal Aid 

Ph: 1300 654 314

web: https://www.legalaidact.org.au/

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Women's legal 

Ph: 6257 4377

web: https://wlc.org.au/
 

Centrelink (crisis payment or special benefit payments)
Ph: 13 28 50

web: www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/centrelink

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Family Safety Hub
Ph: 13 34 27

web: www.communityservices.act.gov.au/safer-families

Access Canberra (including safer families grant)
Ph: 13 22 81

web: www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au

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Contact Canberra (Emergency Relief and food pantry guide)
Ph:1800 176 468

web: vc-act.mycommunitydirectory.com.au

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ASIC Moneysmart (consumer and financial literacy)
Web: www.moneysmart.gov.au

 

Victim Support ACT
Ph: 1800 822 272

web: www.victimsupport.act.gov.au
 

Salvation Army
Ph: 0437 723 863

web: www.salvationarmy.org.au

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Onelink
Ph: 1800 176 468

web: www.onelink.org.au

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Lifeline
Ph: 13 11 14

web: www.lifeline.org.au

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