Researchers Say Economic Abuse Is a Subtle, Less Known Form of Domestic Violence

Eleven per cent of Australians have suffered economic abuse at the hands of a partner.

Economic abuse occurs when one partner in a relationship controls another’s finances. It often results in the victim becoming dependent on their abuser. Often times—according to the ABC—people aren’t even aware that they’re victims of this subtle form of domestic violence.

Researchers at RMIT University said there’s hardly any data on the prevalence of the problem. Jozicka Kutin, lead researcher on a new study, said nearly 16 per cent of women surveyed had a history of economic abuse. Seven per cent of men reported experiencing similar behaviours in past relationships.

The most likely people to be victims of economic abuse were women with disabilities or long-term health problems.

Many people in these situations don’t identify what they’re experiencing as a form of domestic violence. “That’s the tricky part of it all,” lamented Kutin. “They’re not going to go to domestic violence services, they’re not going to look up domestic violence websites or pages on financial abuse they won’t recognise it as such.”

Often banks are seen as a safe place to have some of these issue resolved. “It’s there that the worker can tease out there’s something wrong. ‘Where is all your money going?’, and that’s when it all comes out,” Kutin told the ABC.

The hardest part is for bankers (and other workers) to know what to do next.

Are you experiencing sexual assault or domestic and family violence?

Call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit Reachout.com

Photo: iStock