Zahra Foundation Australia launches financial abuse awareness campaign

Mel had to sell her home and car and move back into her parents house when she left her partner. Her story is part of a new campaign raising awareness about the early warning signs of financial abuse.

When Mel* left her abusive partner she fled with four children, massive debt and an empty bank account.

“I did believe, on that day, that I wouldn’t survive,” she recalled.

“I was facing homelessness and poverty, even though I was still working full-time.

“I had no home. I had to sell my car.”

The South Australian mother of four has shared her story as part of a new campaign raising awareness about financial abuse, which affects one in six women.

Not-for-profit Zahra Foundation, which launched the campaign on Wednesday, has seen a surge in demand for specialist financial counselling for women escaping abusive relationships.

Requests have spiked 40 per cent amid the cost of living crisis and there are 150 women on the wait list.

When Mel left a decade ago she was not able to seek support from such a service, so she and her children had to move back in with her parents.

“I was so worried he was going to come after my superannuation,” she said.

“I couldn’t afford ongoing legal fees. I was just so traumatised and scared of what the consequences would be of fighting him (in court).

“I was ashamed of what I’d let happen. I just wanted to walk away and hide.”

Zahra Foundation CEO Kelly-Ann Tansley. Picture: MATT LOXTON

Zahra Foundation CEO Kelly-Ann Tansley said the warning signs of financial abuse “can be subtle”.

“At first, a woman may not recognise she is being controlled and abused,” Ms Tansley said.

“Financial abuse can begin with a partner paying for everything with their own money. Over time, they gain control through gradually becoming the sole manager of the household finances.”

Ms Tansley said women were waiting an average of six weeks to access support and she appealed for “more help to meet the growing demand”.

The foundation has helped 600 abuse survivors in the past year, compared to 1000 during its previous seven years.

“Women across Australia need this service now more than ever, with the cost of living crisis,” Ms Tansley said.

The new campaign, which will run on television and social media, features the stories of other women, including single mother Leah*.

Her partner was generous with money at the start of their relationship, paying for food and bills.

But he had a bad credit rating so he put their rental agreement and credit card in her name.

“I was looking through my credit card statement and noticed some things I didn’t recognise.

“I asked him about it and he just blew off the handle,” she said.

“He said that I didn’t trust him and then he got angry and violent.”

Jasmine* migrated to Australia and married a man who quickly became controlling.

At the time she and her children fled to a women’s refuge, she had never held a bank account, paid a bill and or been to the shops on her own.

“If he asked me to sign a document, I just signed it because I couldn’t read the English,” she said.

“I did ask about taking English classes but he said I didn’t need to. I just trusted him.”

*Names have been changed to protect identities.

For support phone 1800RESPECT or visit zahrafoundation.org.au

Originally published as Zahra Foundation Australia launches financial abuse awareness campaign