Outreach advocates have long argued domestic violence victims are often forced to stay in abusive relationships when they lack financial freedom.
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In the face of the city’s soaring family violence rates, one Ballarat legal service is reaching out to women who have been financially abused by their partners and helping them to get their lives back on track.
The Central Highlands Community Legal Centre is providing free financial counselling to victims of economic abuse.
Economic abuse can be defined as any behaviour that is used to prevent a person from taking part in financial decisions that affect them or their assets.
The dedicated financial counsellor is funded by a $30,000 state government grant as part of its Community Legal Assistance Fund.
The centre’s principal lawyer Glen Ludbrook said last year a victim of family violence whose abuse husband left her refused to pay their mortgage or rates. Within weeks, the woman’s council rate bill soared from $600 to $2000.
He said there was often a lot shame associated with financial abuse making women reluctant to come forward even after they had left abusive relationships.
“This woman was beside herself,” Mr Ludbrook said. “It was deeply distressing for her because she already felt out of control of her situation.”
He said other women who sought help at the service had been physical beaten and kicked out of their family homes with their children.
“They are forced to look at all aspects, including housing aspects of where they are going to live,” he said. “But also things like Centrelink and whether they qualify for payments straight away. A financial counsellor helps them get on to the right person straight away. ”
Community lawyer Gillian Poirier said the financial counsellor is able to look at the most appropriate way to resolve financial concerns based on the victim’s circumstances. Ms Poirier said family violence did not discriminate and dispelled all stereotypes of age and socio-economic backgrounds.The service is completely confidential and women can book in as many sessions as they needed.
CHCLC also has a family violence duty lawyer at its Ballarat, Ararat and Stawell branches. CHCLC is located at 15 Dawson Street North. For details call 5331 5999 or visit www.chclc.org.au
