Did you know that Redfern Legal Centre is set to expand its free financial abuse service statewide over the next four years, thanks to an $8.1-million funding boost?
Financial abuse often plays a role in the context of coercive control within intimate partner relationships. This is a form of abuse that includes limiting or completely denying an individual’s access to financial resources, manipulating their financial choices, or using their partner’s money without their consent.
A website dedicated to educating people about coercive control was launched this year, ahead of coercive control being considered a criminal offence in 2024. The site explains the signs and behaviours that can be considered coercive control.
RLC recognises that there is a growing demand for their support service and a need to provide these kinds of financial abuse. With the recent funding boost, RLC will be able to expand its capacity from 300 clients to about 500 clients for free legal assistance, family law issues or money problems as a result of financial abuse.
The funding boost to help expand the legal assistance sector is just one of the many measures of the State Government which are aimed at reducing the rates of domestic and family violence.
“The legal assistance sector plays a critical part in our justice system, helping some of the state’s most vulnerable people access free, timely legal advice to stop problems escalating,”.NSW Attorney General Michael Daley said
“This $8.1 million funding boost will mean more people across NSW can find information to protect and support them to recover from financial abuse, which can be a particularly insidious form of coercive control in relationships.”
Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said, “Unlike signs of physical abuse, financial abuse is often difficult to detect. Lack of access to finances can be one reason people stay in abusive relationships.
“The service Redfern Legal Centre provides is crucial to making sure victim-survivors receive the right financial advice to be able to escape an abusive relationship. It is one of the many ways the NSW Government is working to reduce rates of family and domestic violence.”
Published 27-October-2023
